Meals is without doubt one of the most pleasant methods to journey the world with no need a passport or a visa. It carries tales, historical past, and tradition all wrapped up in flavours.
In Nigeria, snacks are extra than simply one thing to munch on. They’re tied to our childhood recollections, the road corners which are buzzing with life continuous, the lengthy and uncomfortable bus rides, in addition to events and festive gatherings.
An attention-grabbing discover is that many of those our beloved Nigerian treats have shocking international lookalikes. So, whether or not you’re munching on puff-puff you purchased from Mummy Valuable at your bus-stop or biting right into a beignet in Paris, you’re nearer to dwelling than you assume.
Listed below are seven standard Nigerian snacks and their international twins that show meals is the last word common language.
1. Puff-Puff & Beignets (France)
As a correct Nigerian, you have to have stopped by a avenue vendor frying golden balls of puff-puff, and you understand first-hand the enjoyment that comes with biting into its sizzling and fluffy centre. Puff-puff is Nigeria’s fried dough that’s easy, candy, and endlessly addictive. A deal with liked by numerous folks.
Its international twin? Beignets, the French-inspired New Orleans traditional. Each are deep-fried dough balls, smooth inside, crispy exterior, and typically dusted with sugar. The distinction is that Beignets are typically square-shaped and a little bit buttery, whereas puff-puff retains its bite-sized and small ball-shaped.
We typically dunk puff-puff in pepper sauce, whereas in France, beignets might be paired with a cup of espresso. Both manner, these two are cousins throughout continents.
2. Chin Chin & Churros (Spain/Mexico)
Chin chin is the king of Nigerian street journey snacks. Small, crunchy, nutmeg-infused cubes of fried dough that slip into your mouth quicker than you’ll be able to depend. It’s also addictive and a continuing at weddings and particularly Christmas gatherings. It additionally is available in totally different shapes except for the cubes.
Internationally, churros maintain the identical allure in Spain and Mexico. Lengthy sticks of fried dough, dusted in sugar, typically dipped in chocolate. Like chin chin, they’re additionally crunchy, candy, and made for sharing. The shapes could differ, however the vibe is simply the identical as the opposite.
3. Suya & Kebab (Center East)
Nights in Nigeria are identified for the smoky aroma of suya that fills the air. Grilled meat skewers, generously coated with yaji spice (a fiery mixture of floor peanuts, pepper, and secret elements), served with onions and shredded cabbage. Suya is extra like a night ritual for us Nigerians.
The closest match to our pricey Suya is the Center Jap Kebab. From Turkey to Lebanon, skewered meat seasoned with herbs and spices is grilled over open flames. Whereas kebabs lean in the direction of savoury and herby, suya is unapologetically sizzling and spicy and that brings out the Nigerianess in it.
4. Akara & Falafel (Center East)
If Saturday mornings in Nigeria had a mascot, it will be akara. These deep-fried bean muffins, crispy on the surface and smooth inside, are finest loved with bread (agege type) or pap/custard. Inexpensive and filling, akara is the snack of the folks.
Its twin is the falafel, a staple within the Center East. Produced from chickpeas or fava beans, falafels are additionally fried into balls or patties and served in pita bread. Each snacks are created from legumes, however whereas falafel is herby and earthy, akara is extra easy, spicy and is generally related to breakfast.
5. Boli (Roasted Plantain) & Roasted Bananas (Caribbean/Latin America)
Boli is the standard Lagos avenue meals. Plantains roasted over open flames till smoky and caramelised, eaten with groundnuts and wrapped in newspaper or will also be paired with spicy pepper sauce. It’s extremely tasty.
Within the Caribbean or Latin America, it is not uncommon to seek out roasted bananas or plantains cooked in just about the identical manner. The flavours overlap as they’re each candy, smoky, and smooth, however Nigerians elevate the stakes with the addition of pepper sauce to provide it that candy and savory really feel.
6. Egg roll and Scotch Egg (UK)
Egg roll is that Nigerian snack that stands out within the array of different snacks whenever you cease at a small kiosk to buy one thing fast to munch on. A boiled egg tucked inside dough and deep-fried till golden brown, it’s that one snack that’s filling and all the time reliable, particularly when paired with smooth drinks. It’s good for college break instances and bus park starvation pangs.
Its international twin is the Scotch egg, a traditional British snack. As a substitute of dough, the egg is wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried (or baked). Each are consolation snacks constructed across the identical thought of biting by means of a crunchy exterior into a wonderfully cooked egg centre.
7. Kilishi & Beef Jerky (US)
Kilishi is thinly sliced beef marinated in a spicy peanut-and-chilli paste, sun-dried and grilled till crisp. It’s chewy, fiery, and addictive.
The American beef jerky is the closest match. Each are dried meat snacks meant for storage and journey. Jerky is salty and smoky, whereas kilishi is fiery and well-spiced. However they share the identical essence.
A style of dwelling, shared internationally
From puff-puff to kilishi, Nigerian snacks maintain extra than simply flavour. As we have now seen, these treats should not totally distinctive to Nigeria. They echo snacks loved in numerous components of the world, reminding us that meals is a shared expertise.
So subsequent time you’re dipping puff-puff in pepper sauce, crunching on chin-chin throughout Christmas, or tearing into the kilishi your favorite uncle despatched from Abuja, keep in mind that someplace throughout the globe, somebody is having fun with a snack that tastes loads like dwelling: totally different names, totally different twists, however the identical common pleasure of meals.
