Egusi is most famous for its use in Egusi Soup, a traditional soup native to the Igbo people of South East Nigeria.
It is one of the most easily identifiable seeds for cooking in the country and across West Africa.
What is Egusi?
The seeds are harvested from the Egusi gourd, a fruit that resembles a watermelon in appearance.
However, unlike watermelon seeds, the Egusi gourd’s fruit is bitter and should not be eaten raw.
In terms of the size, the seeds are similar to pumpkin seeds.
How Is It Used?
These seeds are a key ingredient in many West African recipes including soup and stews.
It is often used as a thickener and flavor enhancer and can be served with Pounded Yam, Amala, Fufu, or Rice.
How to Prepare Egusi
The raw seeds are typically sun-dried and ground into a fine powder using a blender, spice grinder, or mortar and pestle.
If you would like to learn the process of cooking with these seeds, I wrote an article sharing my recipe on How to Make Nigerian Egusi Soup.
Nutritional Benefits
These seeds are packed with nutrients like protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
How to Store Egusi
You should store these seeds or powder in an airtight container in a cool and dry place to prevent spoilage.
For longer storage, keep ground seeds in the refrigerator or freezer.
Because whole seeds last longer than the ground form, unless you plan on cooking within a shorter period, you should not grind the seeds so that they can last longer.
Does Egusi Expire?
Egusi can go bad if not stored properly.
Whole seeds can last up to 6 months, while ground ones should be used within 3–4 months.
If these seeds are going bad, trust me, you would smell it. You can also tell because it develops a bitter taste. Hopefully, you won’t have to get to the stage of tasting before realizing it has gone bad!
What Can I Use Instead of Egusi Seeds?
If Egusi is unavailable, you can try ground pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Personally, I do not find those to be similar in taste, but I know a few people who use these as substitutes and swear by it.
Where Can I buy These Seeds?
You can buy these seeds from local African markets as well as through online marketplaces like Amazon.
It wasn’t always so easy to have access to these seeds when you were outside the African continent but these days, you can easily buy them online and I’m grateful for that.
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