Mbika

Description
Dishes made from the seeds of gourds,, pumpkins, and squashes are termed as Mbika in the Central Africa's Congo River region.

Ingredients

 * 2 – 3 tsp palm oil
 * 2 – 3 chili peppers, chopped
 * 1 – 2 onions, chopped
 * 2 – 4 cups cups mbika, egusi, pumpkin seeds, or pepitas (shells or hulls removed)
 * 1 Maggi® cube
 * salt, pepper (to taste)
 * 2 – 3 banana leaves or aluminum foil

Directions

 * 1) Roast and shell the egusi or mbika seeds (or their substitute) if they are not already roasted and shelled.
 * 2) Crush or grind them into a flour.
 * 3) Fry onion and chile pepper in an oiled skillet, until they are well browned.
 * 4) In a large bowl combine all other ingredients, stirring until they are thoroughly mixed.
 * 5) Add a little oil to the mixture (if desired).
 * 6) Add water as necessary until a thick paste is obtained.
 * 7) Add onion, and chile pepper mixture and mix well.
 * 8) Make serving-sized packets by wrapping the mixture in banana leaves or aluminum foil.
 * 9) While using banana leaves, warm them for a minute in a hot oven and remove the center ribs of each leaf by cutting across it with a knife and pulling it off.
 * 10) Cut the ends off each leaf to form a large rectangle.
 * 11) Cook in a hot oven or on an outdoor grill for thirty minutes (or more), until hot all the way through.
 * 12) Serve with fufu or boiled rice.
 * 13) May be served hot or cold.