Every nation has its own unique delicacy, whose recipes have been handed down from generation to generations, and Nigeria is not left out. Our multi-cultural society means we have a rich assortment of excitingly delicious snacks from different regions in the country. These snacks are prepared in a distinctly indigenous way, and can go a long way into knocking hunger back to the 16th century when you eat them.

Here are some of those popular ones we have eaten at one time or the other.

Chin-Chin

Chin-Chin is a popular delicious snack with roots in Nigeria. This snack is also a major treat used as light refreshment in entertaining guests in most households. Children particularly love it and adults are not left out. It is a well-loved snack that can be eaten to pass time or kill off boredom. It is particularly easy to make since it requires little or no baking. A mixture of flour, sugar and milk makes up the key ingredients for this recipe. Additional ingredients like egg, nutmeg, baking powder and even grounded pepper can be introduced as supporting casts for the making of chin-chin. Depending on your preference, the chin-chin can be prepared to come out hard, brittle or crunchy. It is a fantastic titbit that can last for weeks when well stored in airtight containers.

Plantain Chips (Ipekere)

Ipekere as it is fondly called is a crunchy snack made from unripe plantain. It is a very common snack you can find around from market stalls to street hawkers. Plantain chips is very easy to prepare. Simply peel and slice unripe plantain as thin as possible. Add salt and also sprinkle some grounded pepper if desired. Fry the plantain slices in a pan of already heated oil for about 5 – 7 minutes and that’s it! Ipekere can be prepared in different forms and variants; it could be salty, spicy or crunchy, all depending on what suits your preference.

Groundnuts (Peanuts)

Groundnuts have played a major part in the Nigerian food chain for generations. It can serve as either a meal or a snack at any point in time. Both the young and old love peanuts. They are mostly used to entertain guests and visitors in some households. When combined with soaked garri, groundnuts become a major life saver that even superman would be jealous of. Groundnuts, after harvesting have to be cooked, roasted or fried before they can be enjoyed as a snack. The process usually involves the use of sand or gravel to roast or boiling in water. After preparation, the peanuts can be stored in jars or bottles. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals when consumed.

Potato Chips

Nigeria is blessed abundantly with fertile soils in most parts of the country. This is why we can grow an array of excellent food crops. Potatoes are part of the crops that thrive in this section of the world. Potato chips are tasty and delicious when well prepared. They can serve as refreshing snacks and can be eaten at any given time. Like plantain chips, it is quite easy to make. Simply slice potatoes into thin slices, sprinkle some salt on the potatoes. Slice onions into a pan of heating vegetable oil and add the potato slices. Wait till the potatoes take on a lush golden colour, sieve out then serve.

eat all except peanuts





you forgot 'boli'