Mbika

Description
Dishes made from the seeds of gourds, melons, 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
Roast and shell the egusi or mbika seeds (or their substitute) if they are not already roasted and shelled. Crush or grind them into a flour.

Fry onion and chile pepper in an oiled skillet, until they are well browned.

In a large bowl combine all other ingredients, stirring until they are throughly mixed.

Add a little oil to the mixture (if desired). Add water as necessary until a thick paste is obtained. Add onion, and chile pepper mixture and mix well.

Make serving-sized packets by wrapping the mixture in banana leaves or aluminum foil. 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. Cut the ends off each leaf to form a large rectangle. Cook in a hot oven or on an outdoor grill for thirty minutes (or more), until hot all the way through. Serve with Fufu or boiled rice. May be served hot or cold.