LounjeLounjePlan my week

Taushe da Nama

Also known as Taushe da Nama (Pumpkin & Meat Stew)

Taushe da Nama is a thick, hearty Hausa pumpkin stew that is richer and more substantial than the soup version (Miyan Taushe, Recipe #085). Where Miyan Taushe is a thinner, more liquid soup, Taushe da Nama is a dense, almost porridge-like stew where the pumpkin forms the primary body of the dish and the meat is generously abundant.

Taushe da Nama, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 1 big cooking pot of pumpkin (taushe) flesh, peeled, deseeded and roughly cubed
  • Half a medium goat or big handful of assorted beef, cooked
  • 3 big cooking spoons of groundnut paste (natural peanut butter, unsweetened)
  • 2 cooking spoons of groundnut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of dawadawa
  • 3 big handfuls of ground dried crayfish
  • 3 to 4 hot chilli peppers, blended
  • 1 big onion, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
  • 3 seasoning cubes (Knorr), crushed
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 glasses of meat stock or water

Method

  1. 01

    Cooking the Pumpkin. Place the pumpkin cubes in a pot with 2 glasses of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes until very soft and beginning to fall apart. Mash thoroughly into a rough puree. Set aside.

  2. 02

    Frying the Base. Heat groundnut oil in a wide, deep pot over medium heat. Add onion and fry 2 minutes. Add dawadawa and fry 1 minute. Add blended chilli pepper and ground ginger. Fry for 8 minutes.

  3. 03

    Adding the Groundnut Paste. Add the groundnut paste. Stir vigorously into the fried base for 3 minutes until the paste is well incorporated and begins to smell nutty and cooked.

  4. 04

    Combining Everything. Add the mashed pumpkin puree, cooked meat, ground crayfish and reserved meat stock. Stir very well to combine everything into a thick, cohesive stew. Season with remaining seasoning cubes and salt.

  5. 05

    Simmering. Simmer on medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring regularly, until the stew is thick, richly coloured and deeply flavoured. The stew should hold its shape on a spoon. Taste and adjust all seasonings.

More soups & broths