Okpa facts for kids

Okpa (pronounced Ọkpa) is a delicacy prepared by the Igbo people with a special type of beans known as Bambara nuts. It is common in Enugu state and classified as a traditional Nigerian delicacy due to its uniqueness. Not limited to Igbo people, other tribes take it with pap or eat it alone. Other Igbo name for Okpa include; ịgba and Ntucha. It is known as Gurjiya or kwaruru in hausa language.

Its main ingredient include; Bambara nut flour, palm oil, crayfish, salt and seasoning. Nutritionally, okpa has approximately 16.92% crude protein, 4.93% fat, 26.62% carbohydrate and 216.28 kcal energy value, making it one of the most balanced staples.

Preparation of Okpa

Here are ways to prepare Okpa:

• Wash and salt the banana/plantain leaf used to wrap Okpa.
• Prepare a mixture of Okpa flour, grounded crayfish, salt and seasoning in a large bowl, add reasonable quantity of palm oil, mix with spatula and mould until you achieve a yellow-red colour.
• Add lukewarm water into the mixture as well as blended pepper, then stir with a wooden spatula until smooth.
• Wrap the mixture into the leaf or a small polythene bag.
• After boiling water in a pot, place the wrapped Okpa and allow to steam for at least an hour. The okpa will be solid when fully cooked.
• Serve hot with custard, oatmeal, or pap.

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