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.