Recipe for Achicha

Recipe for Achicha

Achicha is a traditional Igbo dish from Eastern Nigeria, made with dried cocoyam flakes and various vegetables. Here is a detailed recipe for Achicha with fio-fio (pigeon peas):

Ingredients

• 3 cups fio-fio (pigeon peas)
• 3 cups achicha (cocoyam) smashed
• 5 milk cups of red oil
• 3 handfuls of scent leaf
• 5 big balls of onions
• 3 scotch bonnet peppers
• 2 seasoning cubes
• Salt
• Optional: crayfish, seasoning cubes, and dry fish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fio-Fio
   • Wash the fio-fio and soak in water for 30 minutes.
   • Drain the water and wash the fio-fio again.
   • Cook the fio-fio in a pot with water until it is soft.
2. Prepare the Achicha
   • Rinse the achicha and soak in water overnight.
   • Rinse the achicha again and crush it into pieces.
3. Cook the Achicha
   • Wrap the crushed achicha in uma leaves, banana leaves, or aluminum foil and cook in a pot with water for 20-30 minutes.
4. Prepare the Vegetables
   • Rinse and chop the following ingredients:
     • Green amaranth or ugu or spinach
     • Scent leaves
     • Onions
     • Peppers
5. Cook the Achicha with Vegetables
   • In a clean dry pot, heat the red palm oil.
   • Fry the onions for 3 minutes.
   • Add the ukpaka and pepper and fry for another 3 minutes.
   • Add the chopped leafy vegetables and stir until they heat up.
6. Combine and Season
   • Add the cooked achicha to the pot and stir well.
   • Add salt to taste.
   • Stir very well and it’s done!

Notes

• Achicha can be served with Okazi (ukazi, afang) salad, steamed green amaranth, or steamed ugu.
• It can also be made with green amaranth, ugu, or scent leaves.
• The size of the achicha pieces is a matter of personal preference.
• Soaking the fio-fio is optional to reduce cooking time and remove antinutrients.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, you can watch the video tutorial on YouTube titled “How to cook Achicha with fio fio (Igbo Traditional Food). Cocoyam Flakes” (duration: 7:51 minutes)