Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Fried Peanuts of Western Africa

West African potash fried peanuts ingredients and directions.

What is cooking potash? Potash, potassium carbonate, is a potassium-rich salt mined from ancient oceans. Potash is a variety of mined and manufactured salts containing potassium. 

Potash has a unique ashen and salty taste. Potash has been a popular seasoning in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, for centuries; depending on the tribe you hail from, potash is called kaun or akanwu. Potash is also a common seasoning in Burkina Faso and Cameroon.

Potash fried peanuts are a tasty snack that is quick and easy to make today. Raw peanuts are pan-fried with potash and sea salt until golden brown. You can add spicy seasonings such as Cajun seasoning, Sichuan pepper, or chili powder. Below are the ingredients and directions for West African potash fried peanuts.

Potash Fried Peanuts

Potash Fried Peanuts

West Africa potash fried peanuts ingredients and directions.

Ingredients

1/2 pound unshelled raw peanuts

2 tablespoons sea salt

1 teaspoon potash

Water to cover for soaking

2 tablespoons olive oil


Directions

In a large bowl mix salt, potash and water. Soak the raw peanuts overnight, covered on the countertop in the potash mixture. Boil the peanuts adding more potash and salt if desired for 5 minutes.

In a large fry pan heat oil, add drained peanuts and stir fry until golden brown about 10 minutes. Toss with your choice of a spicy spice blend or sprinkle with salt. Remove from heat and serve as a snack.

Roadside food vendor in Yaounde Cameroon

Roadside food vendor in West Africa making potash fried peanuts.

Fried peanuts are a quintessential protein snack in Western Africa and potash is a popular seasoning.

More easy breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes to make right now.


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for the comment.

More Articles to Read from Chic African Culture

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

Cuban Military Presence in Angola

Image
The Cuban military had a long-lasting presence in Angola, with thousands of troops stationed there during a political conflict. The Cuban intervention in Angola had significant international implications and was seen as part of the broader Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.  Angola, a former Portuguese colony in southern Africa, was in the midst of a struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule. This war for independence lasted from the early 1960s until 1974, when the Portuguese Carnation Revolution led to the decolonization of Portuguese Africa. When Portugal withdrew from Angola in 1975, it left a significant hole in the political landscape in the country. This withdrawal marked the end of decades of colonial rule and set the stage for the country's transition to independence. However, it also created a political void, as there was no clear, unified government to take control. In the absence of Portuguese colonial rule, many Angolan polit
Read the Article

Sand Traveling from the Shores of Ghana to New England

Image
The journey of a grain of sand from the shores of Ghana to New England, USA, is an important reminder of the interconnectedness of all existence.  It serves as a reminder that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant elements of our world are subject to the grand tapestry of natural processes and the relentless passage of time.  It also invites us to reflect on the intricate web of relationships that underlie our existence and the profound implications of our actions on the global scale. The journey of a grain of sand from the shores of Ghana to New England, USA, shows how interconnected our world is despite vast distances. Sand grains on the shores of Ghana, like those on coastlines worldwide, are constantly subject to natural processes such as erosion. Waves, tides, and weathering gradually break down rocks and minerals, producing sand. The Atlantic Ocean separates Ghana from the eastern United States. Ocean currents, including the North Atlantic Drift and the Gulf Stream, are c
Read the Article

Sofala: A Key Stop on Covilhã's African Odyssey

Image
Sofala, historically known as a significant trading town, holds a special place in the history of Eastern Africa. Located on the eastern coast of Africa, in what is modern-day Mozambique, Sofala was a bustling and strategic port during the late medieval period and the Age of Exploration. Navigating the waters around Sofala was no small feat. The Indian Ocean currents and shifting sandbars made the approach to the Sofala coast treacherous. Pêro de Covilhã's successful navigation of these waters demonstrated his seafaring prowess and furthered Portugal's ambitions to dominate maritime trade routes. To Portuguese explorers, Sofala was not merely a geographical destination but a vibrant crossroads of cultures and trade during the late 15th century. The Age of Exploration in the late 15th century was a transformative era in African human history. It was a time when intrepid European explorers set out on perilous journeys to chart unknown territories, establish trade routes, and unco
Read the Article

Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa

Image
African Country by Size List. Africa Which are the top twenty largest, smallest, and territorial country in Africa by land area? 1. The continent of Africa is the world’s second largest based on land area and population just after Asia. 2. Top five largest countries of Africa are Algeria, Congo Democratic Republic of the, Sudan, Libya and Chad. 3. Top five smallest African countries and territories are Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Saint Helena and Mayotte. African Country from largest to smallest Area sq mile Area sq km Algeria 919,595 2,381,740 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 905,568 2,345,410 Sudan 718,723 1,861,484 Libya 679,362 1,759,540 Chad 495,755 1,284,000 Niger 489,191 1,267,000 Angola 481,354 1,246,700 Mali 478,767 1,240,000 South Africa 471,011 1,219,912 Ethiopia 435,186 1,127,127 Mauritania 397,95
Read the Article