Pounded yam facts for kids

Iyán, also called pounded yam, is a smooth, dough-like food. Ẹ̀fọ́-rírò is a tasty Nigerian stew with meat and vegetables.

Pounded yam or Iyán (which is its name in the Yoruba language) is a popular food from Nigeria. It is a traditional dish for groups like the Yoruba, Igbo, Ebira, and Tiv people. Pounded yam is made by pounding boiled yam until it becomes very smooth.

It's a bit like mashed potatoes, but it's much heavier and has no lumps. Pounded yam is a delicious food that people traditionally eat with their hands.

You can find Iyán eaten in many Nigerian states, including Ondo State, Edo, Benue, and Ekiti. It is often served with different kinds of soups, such as egusi soup, jute leaves soup (called ewedu), stewed spinach (known as efo riro), or okra soup.

How to Make Pounded Yam

Making pounded yam is quite simple! You will need puna yam, water, and a special tool called a mortar and pestle.

First, peel the yam and cut it into small pieces. Rinse the pieces well. Then, boil the yam for about 30 minutes until it is very soft. After the yam is cooked, clean your mortar and pestle with water. Now, put the soft yam into the mortar and pound it with the pestle. Keep pounding until the yam is completely smooth and looks like a soft dough.

If you use yam harvested later in the season, it might be a bit drier. This means you might need to add a little more water while pounding. For the best taste, always eat Iyán when it is hot and freshly made!

Different Kinds of Yam

The best yam for making pounded yam is the African yam. This type of yam is very common in Africa and some parts of Asia. It is also known as puna yam, true yam, or white yam.

A yam market in Lagos, Nigeria.

African yam has a rough, brown skin and its inside is off-white. It can be as small as a regular potato or grow up to five feet long! Puna yam is a cash crop, which means it's grown to be sold. It's available all year round, unlike some other crops that only grow in certain seasons. Other types of yam include purple yam, wild yam, white guinea yam, Chinese yam, and water yam.

African yam is full of carbohydrates and calories, which give you energy. It doesn't have much protein on its own, but you can balance your meal by eating it with egg or a protein-rich sauce.

Soups to Enjoy with Pounded Yam

Egusi soup is a popular choice to eat with pounded yam.

Pounded yam tastes great with many different soups! Some popular choices include okro soup, ẹ̀fọ́ rírò, banga soup (also called ofe akwu), ogbono, and gbẹ̀gìrì soup.

Banga Soup is another delicious option.

The most common soup eaten with pounded yam is egusi soup. This yummy stew is made from ground melon seeds, tomatoes, onions, and red palm oil. It's a favorite for many people who enjoy pounded yam!