Fufu is African food. It is a traditional West African cuisine made from boiled cassava root. Fufu can be eaten plain or with a variety of sauces and stews.
Fufu is a staple food in many parts of African countries and is becoming more popular in other parts of the world.
What does fufu taste like?
Fufu has a starchy, slightly sweet taste. The texture is similar to that of doughy mashed potatoes.
What makes it so special?
As a cultural food, most Africans start their kids on this dish when they are very young, so they grow accustomed to it. Cassava root is high in fiber, which can help to regulate digestion.
Cassava root. Credit: canva
What is Fufu Made of?
What is it made of?
People made Fufu from boiled cassava root. The cassava root is pounded into a dough-like consistency and then formed into small balls. Alternatively, you can use cassava flour.
Besides cassava, fufu is also usually made of other starchy food crops such as plantain fufu, malanga fufu, or a combination of two or more.
Different types of fufu
Depending on the region where it is made, there are many different types and versions of fufu.
In West Africa, fufu is often made with plantains, yams, or cassava roots.
The plantain fufu is light brown and tastes sweeter than cassava fufu. Yam fufu is dark brown and is much thicker than cassava fufu. Yam fufu is usually served with soups and stews.
Ghanaian fufu (from Ghana, West Africa), also known as banku, is made of corn and cassava dough cooked with salt and formed into a white paste.
Besides Ghana, fufu is the cuisine of other African countries and Caribbean countries, such as Cameroonian cuisine, Guinean cuisine, Nigerian cuisine, and Caribbean cuisine.
East African fufu is typically made with semolina flour or maize flour.
How to make it?
Cuban plantain fufu. Credit: canva
Simple fufu recipe
If you want to try making cassava fufu yourself, here is a simple recipe you can follow.
Ingredients:
Cassava root
Water
Salt
Instructions:
Boil the cassava root in hot water for 30 minutes.
Remove the root from the water and let it cool.
Peel the skin off of the root.
Grate the cassava root into a bowl.
Add salt to taste.
Knead the dough for about five minutes.
Form the spongy dough into small balls.
Serve with soup or stew on the side.
Fufu recipe with a combination of cassava root and green plantain
Ingredients:
1 Yuca root cassava
One plantain Green
¼ cup of water
Instructions:
For the batter
Peel the cassava, cut it crosswise into half-tuber halves, remove the inner wooden core, and dice the potatoes into small cubes.
Peel the plantain and cut it into small cubes.
Add everything inside the blender or food processor, and blend till a smooth batter is formed.
Stovetop method
Pour the batter into a pot on the stove over medium heat and stir until thick, paste-like doughy fufu forms.
Add a little water to the pot, cover it, and set the heat to low to medium for 5 minutes. Fufu may be cooked longer if you believe they aren’t yet done. Stir thoroughly.
Wrap each portion with plastic wrap before serving.
Serve with your desired soup or stew.
Microwave method
Pour the batter into a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a microwave-safe lid—microwave for 5 minutes.
Stir well until smooth.
Add a little water to the batter, and put it back in the microwave for another 5 to 8 minutes.
Stir, divide into separate portions, and wrap each with plastic wrap.
Serve with your desired soup or stew.
How to Eat Fufu?
Nigerian fufu (Eba) with ogbono soup. Credit: canva
How to serve it?
Fufu is usually served with soup or stew on the side. It can also be eaten with a variety of sauces and stews.
Several soups usually served with fufu include light soup, African soup (like okra soup or ogbono soup), spicy soup, pepper soup, Caribbean soup, peanut soup, or any other favorite soup.
Other popular dishes that go along with fufu include rice, beans, and vegetables.
Some people like to eat their fufu plain without any sauce.
Others prefer to dip their fufu pieces in various sauces. The most common sauces for fufu are tomato sauce, hot pepper sauce, chili sauce, and peanut sauce.
How to eat it?
The traditional way to eat fufu is to tear off a pinch of dough and make a slight indentation. Use this indentation to scoop up some of the soup, then place it in your mouth.
Fufu balls are typically swallowed without chewing to provide a feeling of fullness in the stomach throughout the day.
The food can also be eaten plain or with various sauces and stews. It is often served with soup or stew on the side.
What are the health benefits of fufu?
Fufu is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber. It is also low in fat and calories.
Cassava root, which is the main ingredient in fufu, contains a type of starch that may help to lower blood sugar levels.
How to store it?
Fufu can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. It can also be frozen for up to six months. When ready to eat, thaw it out and reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
FAQs
Why do you swallow fufu and not chew?
Fufu balls are typically swallowed without chewing to provide a feeling of fullness in the stomach throughout the day.
Is fufu the same as pounded yam?
No, fufu is made with cassava root and green plantain, while pounded yam is made with just yams. However, both dishes are similar in texture and taste.
What is fufu called in English?
Fufu is usually called sticky dough or cassava dough in English.
