The popular Egusi soup which is also known as melon soup is a delicacy that is enjoyed in West Africa. Egusi is the West African name for melon seeds, the seeds are rich in fat and protein and when dried and grounded, it becomes a staple ingredient in so many West African foods and it is one of the most popular soups in most tribes in Nigeria.
Egusi soup is a soup made with leafy and other vegetables which is thickened with ground melon seeds. The soup is often paired with pounded yam, eba, tuwo, banku, amala and many other swallows. However, some people substitute egusi seeds with pumpkin seeds when egusi seeds aren’t obtainable. But this doesn’t give the same great flavour that egusi gives. The egusi seeds or the grounded egusi can be obtained from most African shops.
The popular Egusi soup which is also known as melon soup is a delicacy that is enjoyed in West Africa. Egusi is the West African name for melon seeds, the seeds are rich in fat and protein and when dried and grounded, it becomes a staple ingredient in so many West African foods and it is one of the most popular soups in most tribes in Nigeria.
There are lots of variations in the way Egusi soup is prepared due to the loads of distinct ethnic groups in West Africa. However, whichever way it is prepared, Egusi soup will always come out as a delicious meal!
Egusi soup is a soup made with leafy and other vegetables which is thickened with ground melon seeds. The soup is often paired with pounded yam, eba, tuwo, banku, amala and many other swallows. However, some people substitute egusi seeds with pumpkin seeds when egusi seeds aren’t obtainable. But this doesn’t give the same great flavour that egusi gives. The egusi seeds or the grounded egusi can be obtained from most African shops.
There are lots of variations in the way Egusi soup is prepared due to the loads of distinct ethnic groups in West Africa. However, whichever way it is prepared, Egusi soup will always come out as a delicious meal!
- Step 1 Place pumpkin seeds in a blender and blend for 30 to 40 seconds or until mixture is a powdery paste. Set aside.
- Step 2 Wash beef and cut into bite-size cubes. Season with salt. In large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add beef and saute for 3 to 5 minutes or until brown but not cooked through.
- Step 3 Place tomatoes, onions, and pepper in a blender and blend for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Add tomato mixture to meat, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover. Cook for 40 to 50 minutes or until meat is tender.
- Step 4 Add tomato sauce, water, and shrimp and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 5 Add spinach and ground pumpkin seeds and continue to simmer 10 minutes more.