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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

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How to eat Plantain Fufu

How to eat Plantain Fufu

Plantain fufu is a staple food typical in many countries in Africa. How do you eat Fufu? Simply tear off a small piece of foufou and hold it with your fingers making a slight indentation to scoop up a small portion of food.


Pounding fufu in Ghana.
Plantain Fufu Recipe

Easy Plantain Fufu Recipe

How to make African food, plantains are used for cooking at any stage of ripeness; green, partially yellow ripe, yellow ripe and brown yellow overripe.
Easy Plantain Fufu Recipe

Ingredients
3 peeled and boiled Plantains
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Water for boiling

Directions
In a large pot place the peeled and evenly cut plantains and cover with water. Boil until soft about 20 minutes. Place the salt, flour, and plantains in a mixer and knead until the consistency of soft dough is achieved. Fufu should be much stiffer than mashed potatoes in texture. 
 
Did you know?
Foufou goes by many names, Fufu, Foofoo, and Fufuo; whatever the name foufou is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling and pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava.

Plantain Fufu Recipe.
Plantain Fufu Recipe

Fufu is primarily consumed in West and Central African countries, where it holds great cultural significance and is a staple food. Apart from Ghana, Nigeria, and the Republic of CΓ΄te d'Ivoire, fufu is also eaten in several other countries in the region, such as Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Depending on the country, fufu is also known as foutou, foofoo, and foufou. The ingredients used to make fufu vary from pounded cassava, yam, plantains, maize flour, or a combination.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

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African Studies

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African Culture and traditions