Forget sausage roll, pizza, hamburger, and other junks, ojojo is a snack you have to taste for its uniqueness and richness. ‘Ojojo’ is a Yoruba word for water yam balls. You must be conversant with bean cake popularly known as akara, this water yam cake is another local snack prepared the same way as akara. The species of yam (Dioscorea alata) used is widely grown in the rainforest vegetations of the Southwest. Water yam is called ewura by the Yoruba people. The ingredient for this snack depends on your taste. Crayfish, fish, cow skin, etc (optional) can be added to make it something light.
INGREDIENTS
The ingredients include water yam, vegetable oil, onion, seasoning cubes, ground pepper, crayfish, and salt to taste.
BEFORE PREPARATION
Peel the water yam to be used and cut into smaller sizes. You need to grate by rubbing the water yam on the mesh surface of a grater. This is done for the entire yam and then set aside. Cut your onions into rings while the ground pepper and other ingredients are set aside. Add the ground pepper, onions to the water yam paste and turn with a spatula. Add seasoning cubes and salt to taste, then mix thoroughly. Make sure the paste form is not too watery, so you can have solid balls of fried water yam.
COOKING DIRECTION
Heat the vegetable/peanut oil in a frying pan or pot. When the oil is very hot, you can then use a thick spoon to introduce the paste of water yam into the oil for frying. When it turns brown in the oil, your water yam balls are done. Repeat the procedure just as you do for your bean cake till you exhaust all the ground water yam. Your favorite ojojo is therefore done and ready to be served.
If you are a foodie, you just have to break away from the norm and try this sumptuous snack. Ojojo is an opportunity to taste a snack better than what you already know. Give this meal a try, and then thank me later for adding a delicacy to your menu.
Bon appétit!
