Be it rainy or dry season, we all know that Nigeria is blessed with an abundance of fresh produce throughout the year, but the flavors and variety truly shine when we cook with what’s in season. Not only does it taste better, but it’s also more economical and supports local farmers. Let’s dive into the delicious world of seasonal cooking in Nigeria.
Rainy season: The rainy season in Nigeria brings a bounty of fresh, green produce. It’s the perfect time to enjoy colorful and refreshing dishes.
Leafy Greens like spinach, ugu, ewedu, water-leaf and bitter leaf are some of the delights that come with the rains. You can choose to make any soup of your choice during this season as the leaves tend to be in abundance. A plate of efo-riro and Ayoola Poundo Yam can be your lunch on Monday while Bitter leaf soup and Ayoola Cassava Fufu graces your tongue on Tuesday. Just enjoy the deliciousness that the rain brings.
Sauces and Stews: Tomatoes are known to be scarce during the rainy season so it is often best to go for other types of stew while the rain rages. Ofe akwu,is a great alternative to pair your rice with and you can even tweak the recipe and make it into banga soup and enjoy it with Ayoola Poundo Yam.
We all know egusi soup and Ayoola Yam Flour is a match made in heaven. Egusi is also a very versatile soup and can be used as sauce and eaten with white rice, a great substitute for tomato stew during the rainy days.
Corns: Corns or maize are planted in the early rainy season and also harvested at the later part of the rainy season. You get to enjoy fresh roasted or boiled corn with african pear or coconut on long rainy nights.
Yams:Yams are planted during the rainy season and some species are harvested while the rain persists while others are eaten in the mid-seasons, but with Ayoola Poundo Yam and Ayoola Yam Flour you are sure to get your delicious yam meals all year round.
Fruits: Fruits like pineapples, watermelons, ube (African pear) and bananas are some of the fruits that can be enjoyed during the rainy season
Dry Season:While the rainy season has its charm, the dry season offers a different kind of culinary adventure. Root vegetables take center stage, and grains become more prominent.
Yam: Yes, yam is on this list again; yam and maize are crops that can be found in both seasons. Most rooty crops like potatoes, carrots, cassava are planted while it rains and harvested after the dry season.
Tomatoes and peppers make a comeback as the dry season draws in, you can now enjoy a yam and tomato sauce delight or red pepper stew with rice.
Cassava: Cassava flakes and Abacha(African salad) makes for the perfect meals with the abundance of freshly harvested cassava in the mid and dry seasons.
Carrot: Carrot stew rejoins the conversation and you can enjoy more bell peppers and carrot sauces when the rain stops.
Grains: Grains like rice, millet and sorghum are also best harvested at dry seasons but you don’t have to wait for the rains to stop before enjoying a yummy bowl of tuwo or kunu shinkafa because Ayoola Rice Flour is always here for you.
Nuts: Nuts are a dry season’s favorite, your groundnuts, almonds and walnuts are readily available to nourish you in the dry season. You can cure that groundnut soup cravings by making a pot and enjoying it with Ayoola Poundo Yam.
Wild mango seeds: These are seen during the dry season and are used to make the delicious ogbono soup, which tastes best when paired with a swallow made with Ayoola Plantain Flour.
Fruits: Dry season fruits like oranges, pawpaw, udara (African star apple), mangoes, guava are available to keep you cool and refreshed in this season.
By cooking with the seasons, you’ll not only enjoy healthier, tastier meals but also contribute to a more sustainable food system. So, let’s celebrate the bounty of our land and savor the flavors of Nigeria!
Remember that at Ayoola Foods, we’ve got you everyday, every month and every season!
