Pounded yam

Pounded yam or Iyán (Yoruba) or Ruam-Yo (Tiv) is a Nigerian swallow food native to the Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv and Ebira ethnic groups. It is a traditional food. It is prepared by pounding boiled yam with a mortar and pestle. Pounded yam is similar to mashed potatoes but heavier. It is a smooth and tasty delicacy traditionally eaten with the hands.

Iyán is consumed in Ondo State, Ijesha, Kogi State, Okun, Edo, Benue and Ekiti in Nigeria, among others. It can be served with egusi, soup, jute leaves soup (ewedu), stewed spinach (efo riro) or okra soup.

Types of yam

The type of yam used for pounding yam is the African yam which is common in Africa and some parts of Asia. It is also known as puna yam, true yam or white yam. The texture is rough with brown skin and off-white flesh; its length ranges from that of regular potatoes up to five feet long.

Puna yam is a food/cash crop available all year round unlike other crops that are seasonal. Other varieties of yam include purple yam, wild yam, white guinea yam, Chinese and water yam.

African yam is rich in carbohydrates and calories. Although it lacks protein, it can be balanced with egg and sauce.

Varieties of soup for pounded yam

Pounded yam goes with okro soup, ẹ̀fọ́ rírò, banga soup (ofe akwu), ogbono and gbẹ̀gìrì soup. The food is popularly eaten with egusi soup, a tasty stew made from ground melon seeds, tomatoes, onion and red palm oil.

See also

Eba

Fufu

Amala

List of African dishes

Nigerian cuisine

References

External links

pounded yam from Allnigeria foods

Central African cuisine

Yoruba cuisine

Igbo cuisine

Nigerian cuisine

Staple foods

Swallows (food)