Here Are Some Nigerian Vegetarian Meals You Should Know
We all know that a lot of the staple foods available in Nigeria are loaded with carbs. One might even argue that carbs are an essential part of any diet, but the truth remains that meals such as ours should be consumed in moderation.
Moreover, is it really a Nigerian meal if there aren’t giant pieces of meat in it? Something I’ve noticed about we Nigerians is how much we love our meat and fish, especially red meat, and we all know those are not recommended in large portions.
Scientists and doctors all tell us that vegetables are the best things to ever happen to us and our bodies, and honestly, I’m inclined to agree. However, the Nigerian method of cooking vegetables kills nutrients through excessive boiling and steaming. To this effect, I believe we have to find a more efficient way of cooking our vegetables in addition to healthier replacements for red meat. But that’s not what we’re here to talk about today so that you don’t fight us in the comments section.
Today, we are discussing Nigerian food and snacks that are either vegetarian or can be made to suit vegetarian standards.
Akara
Beans are an excellent source of protein, with akara being one of the most popular Nigerian bean dishes. One of the reasons why this dish is satisfying is that it stands on its own as a snack. It can also be eaten as a full meal alongside bread, ogi, garri, and eko. Contrary to popular belief, akara is not a cake, rather, it is a fried snack prepared by frying bean batter in oil.
Moi-moi
Moi-moi is another way to utilize and maximize beans. Its process is similar to that of akara, but instead of frying, it is steamed in leaves or little bowls. I personally prefer moi-moi in leaves simply beacuse they always taste better. Eggs and pieces of fish are usually added but since fish is not part of the vegetarian diet, the vegetarian option would be eggs.
Ogi/Eko
Usually a breakfast meal, ogi is made from processing corn into porridge form. The process is a long, arduous one and it’s easier to just buy it. There is another variation of this called ‘ogi baba’, which is made from millet. Eko is basically the cold, solid version of ogi. It’s wrapped in leaves, like moi-moi and can be eaten with stew, vegetable soup, akara or even beans.
Groundnut soup
Groundnut soup is typically cooked with meat or/and fish but this could be made vegetarian as well (as long as you don’t use stock or stock cubes). The main ingredients as the name implies, is groundnuts.
Beans
Like I said earlier, beans are a great source of protein, and outside of making akara, moi-moi and ekuru, it can be cooked as pottage, with palm-oil, peppers and even plantains. And no, I’m not talking about you guys that put fish and crayfish in your beans, okay? I also live for ewa agoyin and yes, it can be made to suit vegetarians as well. Can I get an amen?
N.B: beans cooked with corn is also a vegetarian meal.
Plantains
Plantain is the gift that keeps on giving. It is so versatile and can be enjoyed in so many ways. One of those ways is the undefeated boli and groundnuts. Boli is basically just roasted plantains and can be enjoyed with groundnuts, or even a vegetable sauce. Plantain can also be boiled, fried and made into pottage. Unlike other plant-based foods that are typically useless in their unripe forms, unripe plantains can be made into crisy chips. Like I said, the gift that keeps on giving.
Vegetable sauce/soup
Apart from the extensive use of meat and seafood, another major reason why most Nigerian soups cannot be considered vegetarian is that meat stock and stock cubes are used in cooking them. Thankfully, there are vegetable stocks, that can be used in place of meat stock. It can be made with tomatoes, onions, and any vegetable of your choice. It’s really easy, just chop them up, and simmer in water and there you go!
Yam and eggs
Although I don’t like eggs, this Nigerian breakfast classic is one of my absolute favourites. Eggs are considered vegetarian since they’re technically not animal flesh. Like plantains, eggs are also versatile as all sorts of vegetables can be added while cooking. My co-worker makes these amazing eggs, he adds jalapeños, milk, red peppers, really all kinds of peppers you can get, curry, garlic, ginger and all sorts of spices and it tastes amazing, and even I who do not like eggs, eat them.
Yam and garden egg sauce
This is another meal that takes me back to my childhood. Garden egg sauce can be made without fish and is a great vegetarian sauce. Garden eggs have this special flavour that makes a great sauce. 10/10 recommend.