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Like every medicine unripe plantain is good for your health. Just as most people do not like medicine, so most people do not like unripe plantain porridge. Ok, let me declare that I am speaking for myself. Now, that is a glaring lie! I am not speaking but writing for myself! But more seriously I am writing for myself and a lot of other children! In my entire life I have only come across one person that claims unripe plantain porridge as best food. The food naturally comes low in pecking order amongst children even though it is touted to have great nutritional value. I have seen it served in a restaurant and wondered at the brevity of the customers to choose it in the presence of Ofe Oha (Oha soup), vegetable soup and even the almighty Jallof rice.
So what makes plantain porridge tick, to be able to garner such support and patronage? For me a number of things have to be in place for one to choose unripe plantain porridge. The saying anya na ebu uzo eri (the dish has to be presentable first) does not favour unripe plantain porridge and you have to really have the experience to ensure “the taste of the pudding is really in the eating” when dealing with unripe plantain. For starters, enough dry fish is a no brainer though it comes with its cost. The quantity of dry fish I am talking about here is not that Zeebee type oh (Zebrudaya of new masquerade TV series that will claim he does not want to see crayfish in his soup because it meant more money to the wife). I mean dry fish that is well and alive in the food, very visible to the eyes and crunchy to bite and taste. Like my neighbour in Ajah said to me one day Igutagha ihe na ofe (your soup is rich), your plantain porridge need the assurance that comes from enough dry fish. Best if you can get that my friends dry fish. This one is for the initiated, if you know, you know! This fish is from natural river pond and is very fibrous and meaty to chew and lovely to taste. I once took it to the US and my relatives have always remitted money so I can place the orders for them ever since.
But it is not only azu (fish) that makes the unripe plantain delicious and pleasurable to eat. Try combining it with sweet old yam, potatoes or even some bit of ripe plantain. Never mind; putting the ripe will not make the food not retain its unripe plantain status. Put a little of the yam and others to make the experience worth it and refreshing enough for those that don’t like the taste of the unripe plantain.Then also add lots of vegetables. This one is a double killer as most children don’t like both. This will be like an ultimate punishment for them. So you have to strike the right balance with the fish and other sweeteners to buy their loyalty.
Even with all the ingredients and experiments, you may also have to prepare the stakeholders psychologically so they can enjoy the meal. Emphasis on the nutritional value of the meal and how it will increase their blood level from the iron content has to be emphasized. It can even boost their immunity in this COVID19 period. I have not researched that claim but you can still throw it in the mix as part of ammunition to drive down the message.
Also do not forget the importance of the right-sizing when it comes to chopping the plantain. Chopping the unripe plantain to very small sizes makes a great “look” of the final dish. Chopping it in large lumps may result in an uninviting look that will set off the grumbling too early.
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True, unripe plantain porridge is one of those meals I naturally will not prepare myself or choose if not that I am forced just like my children. But as their father I have to lead from the front and be seen to love plantain porridge so that they can emulate me. I didn’t have a choice either when I was a child. So it appears unripe plantain porridge has a way to force itself into my life. And the best I can do is to respond appropriately!
Obidike Peter wrote from www.peterobidike.com and p_obidike@yahoo.com
Thursday 13th August 2020
