African and American kitchens are not so different

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African, and American kitchens

If you look below the surface you will discover people of all races, ethnic origins and religious backgrounds have more in common than what is seen at first glance.

From Africa to America, the world is one big flavorful kitchen.

Explore and Understand Africa Through Her Food and Culture

3-30-2009

Both fufu and mashed potatoes have very similar qualities

Starchy foods are the body human main source of carbohydrates and play an important role in our diet. 

Starchy foods have fiber, calcium, iron and B vitamins. The world over the emphasis is on starch and one main starchy side dish in Africa is fufu.

What is fufu you may ask? 

Well, fufu is to West Africa as mashed potatoes are to North America. 

1. Prepared in similar ways

2. Filling

3. Versatile

4. Easy to make

5. Kitchen staple

 

Fufu is made from either boiled green plantains, rice, corn meal, corn, yams or sweet or white potatoes. 

Fufu is made by mashing starchy foods such as potatoes, yams, cassava, plantains or flour with a liquid such as water or broth.

Just like mashed potatoes, fufu is bland until seasonings are added. Fufu is usually served with soups and stews replacing the conventional spoon of North America. You pinch off a little ball of fufu and use this to scoop up the soup or stew. 

Mashed potatoes are made by smashing boiled potatoes with a potato masher or a fork. Fufu is also made by pounding the potatoes with a mortar and pestle. The mortar and pestle is one of the oldest most recognized pharmacy and kitchen tool used throughout the world. Use a mortar and pestle to grind and mix spices, crush herbs and nuts or pound starches such as fufu. African and American kitchens are not really so different. Most everyday meals consist of vegetables either from home gardens or from market stores.