Nigerian Eba | A Healthier Carb Alternative to the Nigerian Fufu

The #1 trending African food in 2021 is the Nigerian Fufu but there is the Nigerian Eba, another food swallow that should be on the same trending par as the Nigerian Fufu. Eba, a popular Nigerian staple is made from garri with hot boiling water. Garri is made from the cassava tuber with high calories but according to a health report, “98% of these are from carbs and the rest are from a small amount of protein and fat.” Cassava is also a significant source of carbs and also provides a small amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Cassava as Eba is exceptionally good alternative to fufu. 

To prepare eba you have to boil water and then pour garri in the boiled water, and then keep turning it and roll into a ball to become eba. Eba comes in different colors, yellow or white, depending on how the garri is processed. Eba is rich in carbohydrates and can be served with any Nigerian soup of your choice but best served with Ewedu, ogbono, or okra (ila) soup. These draw soups make the swallow run down smoothly into your stomach.

Types of garri 

There are three varieties of garri:

1. The white garri: this is one that is derived from processing the tuberous roots of white cassava which results in a whit eba.
2. The yellow garri: this is a type of garri derived from processing the yellow tuberous roots of yellow cassava giving eba a yellow color. This one can further be made with the addition of palm oil.
3. Ijebu garri: this is a type of garri that undergoes longer fermentation than the other types. Eba made from this type of garri often has a highly acidic taste.

How to eat eba 

Eba is typically a finger food so you can eat Eba same way you eat the Nigerian Fufu.  While Fufu has a smooth texture, Eba is the opposite simply because of the different types of tubers. But like Fufu, you can make into small balls, dip into soup and swallowed. It’s okay to use a fork to eat because some people do not like the soup running into their fingers. I have seen some people use spoons to scoop into balls. The ultimate if for you to enjoy the healthy Eba with any of you favorite Nigerian soups like Bitter leaf or Jute leaf soup, Okra soup, Spinach stew, and Ogbono soup.  

Here are the different Nigerian soups that go with Eba:

Okra Soup

Nigerian Okro soup is made from okra vegetables, and it’s rich in proteins and healthy fat. The soup can be prepared with a mixture of palm oil, shrimps, goat meat, fish and African spices, and simmered to perfection. The rich Soup is famous in Nigeria and also in a host of other West African countries like Ghana, and Cameroon. Okra soup is delicious and nutritious that will make want more Eba because the draw texture makes you Eba easy to swallow.

Ewedu Soup

Ewedu leaf is a green vegetable used for preparing a Ewedu soup. The soup is a versatile vegetable soup eaten you can eat as a side dish with various other Nigerian cuisines. Ewedu soup will make your swallowed Eba run very smoothly—making you wanting more.

Ogbono Soup

 Ogbono is also great for Eba. It is prepared from the bush mango seed—a wild variant of mango, with a combination of red palm oil, onions, stock, seasoning cubes, leafy vegetables such as spinach, pumpkin leaves, or bitter leaf, and assorted meat and fish such as beef, tripe, shrimp, and crayfish.

Egusi Soup

Egusi soup, the most globally popular Nigerian soup in 2021,  is made from melons, commonly found in West Africa. The seeds are dried and ground before making into delicious soup. These seeds are rich in fat and protein, and add these essential nutrients into West African Cuisine. Nigerian Egusi soup is thickened with the ground melon seeds along with leafy vegetables of choice and will make eating Eba the best Nigerian meal you even had.

Bitter Leaf

Bitter Leaf is a very healthful Nigerian soup. It is a famous Nigerian traditional soup. This soup dish is primarily native to the Eastern Nigeria but it’s available at every Nigerian restaurant. “Bitter” leaf will not taste bitter when cooked the right way.

Craving for a Nigerian Swallow?

Are you craving for one of these finger-licking swallows? Our menu includes eat-in and take-outs for Fufu, Eba, and Amala served with vitamin-rich stews. Swallows are also available for catering for family or mini events. Ask for our Mini Catering Swallow Options.