IKARA
Depending on what region of Nigeria, this corn and plantain snack is recornized by different names (Ikara,akara agbado,ekoka,akara akpu,kango oniyo,ugbeke).
It is a very tasty snack with a crunchy exterior that leaves you wanting more. Best eaten with coconut and can serve as a snack at anytime of the days. And your body gets nourished at the same time as corn is a good source of dietary fibre,vitamins and minerals.
- 750 ml yellow corn powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large plantain (must be over ripe)
- pinch salt
- 500 ml palm kernel oil (enough to deep fry)
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Take your corn to the mill unless you plan to burn your blender engine as dried corn gets very hard.
Grind to a fine but not powdered consistency.
Place grinded corn in a deep bowl then add salt and grinded pepper. Then mix well with your hand.
Blend your overripe plantain to a smooth paste and add to the corn mix.(it is best to use a food processor so no water is added).
(No water is added,the plantain paste acts as the liquid to make the corn moldable). And it should be a strong mold. (So control the plantain paste as you hard)
Mold and place on a tray and then deep fry in preheated palm oil until the color changes and it hardens.
Note: it must be deep fried! And the palm oil has to be hot before dropping the molds in.
