FOOD MUSINGS: Top 7 Spicy Nigerian Foods...Dont eat this Everyday!!!

We Naija people, we like pepper shaaaa (note to self particulary)!Must everything be “peppery” or “hot”? It seems to me, and I am sure you will agree, that a number of our favorite things to eat in Nigeria, whether we are at home or abroad, happen to be dishes that have us reaching for water or a drink (make that chilled please) right after every other mouthful. These tasty dishes seem to be made more flavorful and satisfying by the addition of pepper which is a primary ingredient in most of the dishes mentioned.The most popular peppers in Nigeria are tatashe (bell peppers), ata rodo (red, yellow or green scotch bonnets)and shombo (chili pepper). Here is a rundown of some of some of Nigeria’s favorite “peppery” dishes.

1 Suya which has its origins from our Hausa brothers and sisters is generally thinly sliced skewered meats including but not limited to beef, chicken, ram/goat, kidney and tripe that has been coated with a dry rub called Yaji and then barbecued. Yaji is primarily made of kuli kuli (traditional peanut cookies),chili pepper, salt and additional spices based on personal preference such as garlic, ginger, cloves, ehuru (calabash nutmeg) or Uziza (Ashanti pepper or West African Pepper). Suyahappens to be an all-time favorite “peppery” street food!

2 Suya which has its origins from our Hausa brothers and sisters is generally thinly sliced skewered meats including but not limited to beef, chicken, ram/goat, kidney and tripe that has been coated with a dry rub called Yaji and then barbecued. Yaji is primarily made of kuli kuli (traditional peanut cookies),chili pepper, salt and additional spices based on personal preference such as garlic, ginger, cloves, ehuru (calabash nutmeg) or Uziza (Ashanti pepper or West African Pepper). Suyahappens to be an all-time favorite “peppery” street food!

3 Once upon a time, we had to either be in the North, traveled to the North or know someone coming from the North to have the pleasure of eating these. Now, we can find it in packages on supermarket shelves and even on the streets neatly packed in brown envelopes or plasticpacks. Kilishi is meat dried and covered in groundnut paste and pepper.

4 asun..