Cletus Okon
@cletusokon
1 year ago

Culinary Inspiration

To the place of my birth, the land of my birth.
To the tribe that I hail, one I love so dear.
Amid ethnic groups, languages, region, religion, color etc.,
there lies..........my Culinary Inspiration.

A Nigerian food recipe native to the South South Eastern Nigeria,
the Cross River and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria.
One of the Nigerian cocoyam recipes made with grated cocoyam,
water yam, cocoyam leaves and periwinkle.
May I introduce to you: Ekpang Nkwukwo (Food For the gods).

Not just the native name for me but its meaning in English: Food for the gods.
My Sister dy cook, ah collect dy chop
My Aunty dy cook, ah collect dy chop.
My Mama dy cook, ah fight on top.
And when e finish, na to fetch water full cup.

Ekpang nkukwo is not just my my culinary inspiration but one of the most favorite Nigerian foods.
Ekwang also known as "Ekpang Nkukwo" in “Efik”,
"Ekpang" in “Ibibio/Annang” and "Ekwang Coco"
is a Cameroonian and Nigerian dish native to the Bakweri, Bafaw, Oroko, Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State people.

I enjoy this meal and most people do as well.
To break boundaries am ready to eat it over and over.
This dish is usually served for some ceremonies.
It could be served in traditional celebrations.
It could be served in weddings or christening.

Ekpang nkukwo is not just tasty but useful;
Contains a lot of protein cause we use such products as fish, meat, shrimps, crayfish, periwinkles etc.
Cocoyam and water yam include carbohydrates,
Palm oil gives us some vitamins,
Lettuce, Spinach and Scent Leaves are full of minerals.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers are not left out,
Why because? This dish is full of nutrients.
For pregnant women: ekpang nkukwo is very good.
It fills the breast milk with all the good minerals and vitamins the baby needs.

Can you feed your children with ekpang nkukwo. Why not?
Children love it, plus it's very healthy food, and it tastes amazing too.
It seems like you can find no cons about this food, only pros!
Like Democracy, Ekpang Nkukwo is a dish of the people, by the people, for the people.

Next time you think about “the right food”, remember the Nigerian food recipes,
especially the ekpang nkukwo, which is full of “health” and you’ll love its taste too.
Little wonder it is called Food for the gods.
That's my Culinary Inspiration!
What's yours?
My name is Okon!
Thank you for reading.


#Poetry
#FlavoursofHome*

---

@taiwojemimah @amarachiokoro @abiodunfloral