 Ogbono soup with assorted meats | |
| Alternative names | Draw soup |
|---|---|
| Type | Soup |
| Place of origin | Nigeria |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Ogbono seeds, water, oil, leaf vegetables (bitterleaf and celosia), other vegetables, seasonings, meat |
Ogbono soup is a Nigerian dish made with ground dry ogbono seeds. [1] [2] [3] It is made with considerable local variation. According to research by Chris Chinaka and J.C. Obiefuna, ogbono is an indigenous forest tree associated with plants classified as 'non-timber forest products. It goes by various indigenous names among Nigerians. The Common use of the word “ogbono” in general Nigerian parlance stems from the Igbo name for the word. Among the Nupe, it is called 'pekpeara', 'ogwi' in Bini, 'uyo' in Efik, and 'oro' or ‘apon’ in Yoruba. [4] Although ogbono (dika nut) and ugiri, the Igbo name for bush-mango, are very similar and often regarded as equivalents, there is technically a distinction.
Contents
The ground ogbono seeds are used as a thickener, and give the soup a black or brown coloration. [5] Besides seeds, water and palm oil, it typically contains meat and/or fish seasonings such as chili pepper, [5] salt, crayfish, leaf vegetables and other vegetables. Typical leaf vegetables include bitterleaf and celosia. Typical vegetables include tomatoes and okra. Typical seasonings include chiles, onions, boullion cubes (Maggi in Nigerian parlance), and iru (fermented locust beans). [5] Typical meats include beef, goat, fish, [5] chicken, bushmeat, [6] shrimp, or crayfish.
For individual preferences, ogbono soup can be cooked together with egusi; it can also be cooked together with okra. These methods are likely ways to make the soup thicker and spicier. [7] [8]
It can be eaten with fufu, [5] semo, wheat swallow, with pounded yam, or the processed and fried garri. In other countries the soup may be available in packaged prepared form in some markets that specialize in Western African foods. [5] Ogbono soup has a mucilaginous draw texture, [9] similar to okra soup.
