EDE - NIGERIAN BLENDED COCOYAM - 400g

Blended cocoyam (known as 'Ede' in Igbo) is a traditional Nigerian soup thickener made by boiling and blending (or pounding) edible cocoyam corms into a smooth, thick paste. It is most commonly used to thicken traditional soups like Ofe Onugbu (bitter leaf soup) and Ofe Oha.

Key Aspects of Blended Cocoyam (Ede):

• Purpose: It acts as a natural, healthy, and creamy thickener for soups, providing a distinct texture and flavour that alternatives like achi or offor cannot replicate.
• Preparation Method:
  1. Boil: The cocoyam corms are boiled (often with the skin on) until very soft and tender.
  2. Peel: The skin is removed after boiling.
  3. Blend/Pound: The soft, hot corms are blended in a blender with a little water or pounded in a mortar until a smooth, lump-free paste is formed.
• Storage: It can be prepared in large quantities, blended, and stored in the freezer for future use.
• Usage: The paste is added in small scoops (or lumps) to the pot of soup (along with palm oil) and allowed to dissolve, thickening the broth.
• Alternative: If a blender is not available, the softened cocoyam is typically pounded into a paste in a mortar.