Description

Ofe Ugu is one of those soups that truly reminds you of home. Made with fresh pumpkin leaves, thickened with cocoyam paste, and cooked in rich palm oil, it carries that authentic taste we Nigerians love. The meat stock is the heart of the soup, flavored with kpomo, stockfish, or any protein you like, and seasoned with crayfish, ogili, and a touch of uziza leaf for that distinct aroma.

This soup is not just filling, it’s nourishing too – ugu leaves are packed with blood-boosting iron and vitamins. Once it’s ready, it pairs perfectly with any swallow of your choice, whether it’s eba, fufu, pounded yam, or semo.

Ofe Ugu is the kind of soup you serve when you want everyone at the table to eat well and go back for more. It is rich, satisfying, and proudly Nigerian.

Origin

Igbo, Nigeria

Time to Prepare

Avg. Price per Plate

$$9

Food Age

1999

Nutritional Value

Calories

protein

fat

carbohydrates

dietary fiber

sugars

saturated fat

cholesterol

sodium

vitamin A

vitamin C

vitamin E

calcium

iron

potassium

magnesium

zinc

antioxidants

General Recipe per serving

Name: Ofe Ugu

Origin: Igbo, Nigeria

Ingredients It Favours:

meat
fish
kpomo
stockfish
cocoyam
crayfish
spices
salt
palm oil
ogili (locust beans)
uziza leaves
pumpkin leaves (ugu)
water

Steps:

Wash and season your proteins (meat, fish, kpomo, stockfish, etc
), Steam on low heat without adding water at first so that the meat releases its own juices, Once it cooks in its stock, add water as needed to make a rich broth
Boil cocoyam until soft or use cocoyam powder if needed, Peel off the skin and blend/pound into a smooth paste
In the meat stock (or pot of hot water if preferred), add the cocoyam paste, Stir in crayfish, spices, salt, palm oil, and any extra ingredients you desire, Allow to cook for about 4 minutes so the cocoyam thickens the soup
Stir in ogili (locust beans) and uziza leaves for aroma, Add plenty of fresh pumpkin leaves (ugu), stir gently, Reduce heat and let simmer for 2 more minutes
Your Ofe Ugu is ready
Enjoy with any swallow of choice (eba, pounded yam, fufu, or semovita)