Beautiful looking veiled women and girls, handsome men and boys in their kaftans or jalabia.
Business gurus, politicians, lovers of language, tradition and culture. From my own perspective, this are the words I choose to qualify my northern family and friends with.
I guess I still missed out one major word....... "Sweet tooth!!".
People from the hausa tribe love sweet things more than any other tribe in Nigeria (West Africa).
These sweet snacks and drinks would make you fall in love with their tradition and if you are willing to allow your self indulge for just a bit, then you may experience the sweet-i-licious-ness I am talking about.
Let's take a peek at sweet foods and snacks from Northern Nigeria.
Ready, set , go.....
1. ALKAKI
This is a snack every sweet tooth person will love.
ALKAKI is a grainy, sweet,crunchy snack made from wheat flour and soaked in honey. If well preserved it can last for a whole year. It is served fresh with a cup of coffee or rich tea.
ALKAKI is rich in fiber, carbohydrate and vitamins.
2. DABINO (Dates)
Dabino is an absolute favorite of any northerner. Its a popular fruit that can be consumed by eating it plainly or by blending it with yogurt, milk or coconut. Dabino helps give relief from constipation, heart and intestinal problems. Dabino is rich in fiber, vitamin, carbohydrates and minerals.
3. RAKE (Sugar cane)
This is found to be very abundant in the northern part of Nigeria. Its juice is beneficial to the body as it helps prevent and treats sore throat, coughs, cold,flu and other infection caused by cold.
4. ALAWAN KANTU (Beni seed candy)
This delicious snack is made from Beni seed. The seed is mixed with golden brown sugar or honey to form a thick paste. It then shaped as desired.
This snack helps in the fight against breast and prostrate cancer.
This is made from a mixture of milk, sugar and very little water. Yummy!
This is another win win snack to cool off on a hot and boring afternoon when you need an energy boost.
Alawan gada is made by melting sugar till its golden brown, mix in the roast groundnut you have set aside. Mould into any shape you like. End result...... De....licious.
7. AYAN SIKARI ( tigernut candy)
This is a very common snack found in the north.
Tiger seed is mixed with sugar. It is an extremely delicious snack.
8. GULUSUA (Fried milk candy)
This is a very sweet milky snack. It is made by mixing milk with sugar to form a thick paste. It is then rolled into round balls and fried till its golden brown. Enjoy with zobo, KUNU or any soft drink.
9. ALEWAN COFFEE ( honey milk candy)
This tasty candy is made from a mixture of milk,honey and sugar. It is then deep fried to golden brown. You will relish the taste.
10.KWAKUMAITRI (coconut candy)
This sweet cruncy snack will spice up your boring afternoon and bubble you back to life.
Kwakumaitri is made by melting sugar on your stove till a golden brown color is achieved. Mix it with already grated coconut. Mould into desired shape.
11. KULI-KULI
This hausa delicious snack is made from roasted peanuts mixed with spices, salt,and pepper. It is shaped as desired and then fried.
12. MASA DA SIKARI
Made from rice soaked in water and grinded. The masa mixture is then fried in a masa pot called 'kaskon masa'.
Dankali is a staple food in northern Nigeria. It is a very healthy food. Its mostly fried and grinded pepper sprinkled on it. It is sold by hausa road side food vendors all over Nigeria.
14. ZOBORODO DRINK
This is another popular drink that is taken by northerners. Made from dried calyxes of the hibiscus plant.
Zobo drink is used traditionally as a mild medicine. It also helps in curing cold, cough, weight reduction, reduces high blood pressure, helps in the treatment of liver and kidney problems and even curing fever.
Cheers!!
15. KUNU
This is a popular drink hausa people enjoy. It is a nutritional cereal made from millet,ginger,various spices and pepper. Enjoy.
16. FURA DA NONO
A healthy filling drink from northern Nigeria that has passed the popularity test. Even those that have never been to the north know this drink.Fura is made from millet flour spiced with ginger, cloves and pepper.
Sugar is added to taste before consuming.
17. DANKWA
made from peanut, maize, spies and sugar. You will savour the amazing taste. Hummm.
This is a delicious staple food that has also won the popularity test. It is taken in the morning for breakfast in virtually every home and by almost everyone.
Koko is also sold along with kosai by women along the road or under shady trees in nothern Nigeria. It is served with a koko spoon to help those drinking it enjoy their meal.
19. GORIBA (Doum Palm fruit)
This fruit is delicious when eaten raw. It can be soaked in water for hours or overnight (to soften for those with not too strong teeth).
Goriba is used as a herbal tea to treat hypertension. It can also be used to treat stomach pain and bladder infection.
20. DANBU DA NONO
This is a powdery form of fura.It looks like couscous. It is mixed with nono and sugar is added to taste.
NB: Remember to have your bottle of agbo jedi-jedi (traditional medicine for pile) handy OOO as you go on this sweet- licious adventure. I have said my own OOO.
Do you know any other sweet snack. Tell me about it . joymorestar@gmail.com
Love and kisses from
More JOY
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