Akara Elepo, a super street food Nigeria must add to UNESCO ICH list

Akara Elepo is a Yoruba term that translate in English to Bean cake fried in palm oil.

It was a great delight to see Adetokunbo Deborah pen down this writeup as we take a swipe at Akara elepo.

Akara Elepo is Akara fried with palmoil.

It is a beans blended in a rich, creamy, smoky, deeply reddish manner, that imparts a crunchy texture outside with a soft flavour centre.

It is pertinent to note that the regular Akara is fried with groundnut oil but Akara Elepo relies on palm oil, which gives it a distinct flavour from the taste of regular vegetable oil

The ,crunchy, soft, flavour is loved by many South Western Akara lovers, especially as a daily meal and a Saturday morning delight.

Akara is used for festivals, christening ceremonies, especially for twins, burial ceremonies and. traditional rites, among other activities.

It is important to note that during the funeral rites of an elderly person, as a symbol of a fulfilled life, Akara Elepo is usually distributed to individuals.

In the Yourba tradition,Akara Elepo also represents a sign of victory and celebration.

The aroma of Akara Elepo is quite unique, because this popular, delicious traditional street food has ingredients like beans, pepper, onions, palm oil salt and seasonings to taste.

Read also: Roasted yam – Proudly Nigerian Street food that deserves a place on UNESCO ICH list

Most individuals say they find the preparation of the meal tedious, but there are easy ways to go about the preparation.

We begin by soaking the beans in water for some minutes to soften and dehusk the beans.

Next is to rinse the beans thoroughly until all the skin becomes clean and white.

Transfer to a blender while adding the peppers, onions and little water. Blend coarsely and transfer to a mixing bowl.

Using a cooking spoon beat the blended beans until fluffy. Add the salt and seasonings to taste.

Heat the palm oil in a deep frying pan and use spoon to scoop the blended mixture into the oil.

Let it fry for a few minutes by turning the Akara until rouge – golden brown and crunchy.

Ensure the outside is crunchy while the inside is soft.

Akara Elepo is a nutritional meal, it delivers an excellent balance of protein, mineral, carbohydrates, etc. The protein content helps to build the tissues of the body.

The beans cake is also a good source of iron, calcium, potassium and tissue maintenance.

Akara Elepo is rich in vitamin D as it supports the brain function. The beans in the meal helps to reduce bad cholesterol, stabilise blood sugar and sustain energy. It makes digestion easy and healthy.

Akara Elepo is usually a breakfast or dinner meal which can be paired with Pap, Custard, Eko, Garri and Soft bread (Agege bread).

Pairing the meal with these provide a healthy, filling meal.

Akara Elepo should be added to UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list for global recognition because it serves as a living proof to the Yoruba culture where the preparation and sharing is significant to victory.

Akara Elepo can be added to the UNESCO list, as a vehicle for generational transmission and communal relationship.

As traditional medicine and nutrition, the process of using the beans mixture and palm oil are essentially seen as ritual and celebration in the Yoruba culture.

Akara Elepo is a cherished dish that qualifies to be added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list because in the making and sharing, the dish meets the standard for global recognition.

The making of Akara Elepo is a generational knowledge passed down in the lineage from mother to daughter for the process and preparation.

Akara Elepo provides profound identity and continuity in Yoruba communities.

It is equally very ubiquitous. It can be seen in local food markets, neighbouring markets, roadside food stalls, food vendors hawk them while online platforms prepare Akara as culinary delight. Older traditional Yoruba women are known to specialise in the palm oil frying.

Akara is a culinary culture a traditional lifestyle which saves time and still delivers great taste and a satisfying meal loved by many individuals.