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Plantain Moi Moi

Also known as Plantain Moi Moi (Ukpo Ogede)

Ukpo Ogede is a uniquely Igbo steamed pudding made from unripe plantain flour mixed with spices and steamed in leaves — a plantain-based cousin of the bean Moin Moin. The unripe plantain gives a dense, starchy, slightly earthy base that is flavoured with crayfish, pepper, palm oil and assorted fish, then wrapped and steamed until firm.

Plantain Moi Moi, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 4 big completely green unripe plantains, peeled and grated or blended
  • 3 cooking spoons of palm oil
  • 3 big handfuls of ground crayfish
  • 2 Atarodo (hot chilli peppers), blended
  • 1 big onion, finely blended
  • 1 big handful of smoked fish, soaked and flaked
  • 2 seasoning cubes (Knorr), crushed
  • Salt to taste
  • Banana leaves or aluminium foil containers for wrapping

Method

  1. 01

    Preparing the Plantain. Peel the green plantains. Grate on the fine side of a box grater or blend briefly in a blender into a thick, smooth, paste-like batter. The batter will be very thick and slightly sticky.

  2. 02

    Seasoning the Batter. Add the palm oil, ground crayfish, blended Atarodo, blended onion, flaked smoked fish, seasoning cubes and salt to the plantain batter. Mix very thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning — the batter should be bold and well-seasoned.

  3. 03

    Preparing the Wrappers. If using banana leaves, briefly pass over an open flame to soften. If using foil containers, grease lightly with oil.

  4. 04

    Filling and Wrapping. Spoon the plantain batter into each container or banana leaf wrapper, filling two-thirds full. Wrap the banana leaves tightly around the batter, folding the ends to seal.

  5. 05

    Steaming. Arrange the wrapped Ukpo Ogede in a large pot over boiling water. Steam for 40 to 45 minutes until firm throughout — a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean.

  6. 06

    Cooling and Serving. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before unwrapping. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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