| Nigerian cooking relies on starchy root vegetables such | | | | 1/3 cup red palm oil |
| as yams and cassava. Nigerians also use lots of green | | | | 2 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut in half, seeds |
| vegetables, such as bitterleaf (similar to collard greens), | | | | squeezed out, and grated through the largest holes of |
| okra, spinach, and other African plants. Plants are not | | | | a grater. |
| the only things Nigerians turn to. They do like meat | | | | 1 small onion, chopped |
| dishes using goat, fish or chicken. | | | | 2 habanero chile peppers, stemmed and halved |
| The people of northern Nigeria love spicy-hot meat | | | | 2 tablespoons tomato paste |
| kabobs. In southern Nigeria, the people love many kinds | | | | 2/4 cup water |
| of seafood stews with shrimp, fish, lobster, crab, rice, | | | | 1 1/4 pounds fresh shrimp, heads and shells removed |
| and vegetables. In the central part of Nigeria, the | | | | 1 pound fresh spinach, with stems, chopped |
| people love to have stewed meats served with | | | | |
| mashed yams or cassava. | | | | Directions: |
| | | | Put the pumpkin seeds in a food processor and blend |
| Egusi Nigerian Stew | | | | for about 20 seconds until in a powdery form. |
| In Nigeria, edible melon seeds go by the name of | | | | Reserve. |
| "egusi," and with this popular Nigerian stew, the melon | | | | Salt the chicken, then in a large casserole frying pan, |
| seeds are finely ground to give this dish a unique color | | | | heat the red palm oil over medium-high heat for about |
| and flavor. In place of melons seeds, pumpkin seeds | | | | 5 minutes. Brown the chicken pieces on both sides, for |
| work very well with this stew recipe. And the shrimp | | | | about 6 minutes in all. |
| can be replaced or added along with any smoked fish | | | | Place the tomatoes, onion, and habanero pepper in the |
| or crab. In place of the chicken, smoked oysters right | | | | food processor, and blend for about30 seconds, or until |
| out of a can, or beef can be used. | | | | very smooth. Reduce the heat to low, and cover |
| Red palm oil gives this stew a distinctive African | | | | partially. Cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken can |
| cooking taste. It can be found on the internet, in | | | | be easily pulled off the bone with a fork, or about 1 1/2 |
| international grocery stores, or Latino markets in | | | | hours. |
| particular. Do not try to substitute for the red palm oil. | | | | Add the water and shrimp and continue to simmer for |
| This oil is worth the effort to look for. | | | | about 10 minutes. |
| Ingredients: | | | | Add the spinach and the reserved ground seeds and |
| 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds | | | | continue simmering for about 10 minutes more, Serve |
| 1 3-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces | | | | immediately. This Egusi African Stew recipe makes 6 |
| Salt to taste | | | | servings. |