Abacha: a taste of home and nostalgia

I have, for a while, eaten abacha, and I am now very hungry for it. Abacha, African salad, is a food I used to eat a lot. It is made from the cassava tuber which is chopped, boiled, then soaked in water. It is mixed with palm oil, pepper, onion, garden egg, fish and even sometimes kpomo. The taste is quite special, and it makes me think of home and happy family days and nights out with family and friends.

Back in the East, abacha was very common. It would be waiting there at parties, weddings, even on the street corner. When I went to my village, my mother, having bought abacha, would prepare it and the whole family would come and eat together. Those were always special times for me, laughing, talking and connecting while sharing food. The act of wiping my mouth with abacha (a fementated maize seasoned with smoked fish and accompanied by spicy oil) always made me feel remarkably happy.

This is a lot of change since I came to Ibadan. Abacha is not something you see everyday here. It's not a daily food item in this area, so even if you search you can hardly see anyone selling it. The few times I’ve seen abacha, it was really expensive. I had second thoughts as a result of the cost as I had to add the other demands and priorities into the equation. If I want to spoil myself, even when i want to, I tell myself not to.

I’ve tried to make abacha at home before, but it didn’t taste the same. I don’t know if it is due to the fact that I did not have all of the ingredients or because I am not as good as my mother. However whatever I used to do, it never felt natural. It has also earned me a lot more respect for it, particularly about the level of effort that must be put into it to do it well.

Sometimes I feel like eating abacha, such as when abacha is advertised on the Internet or when abacha related things are talked about. Those cravings call up memories of home and the warmth of eating a very familiar food. I'm sorry, but I can not just stop by the store and get it but I will give that a try soon.

Naturally enough, the mate is funny, and things on their own can be full of memories and sensations. For me, abacha is not just food; it’s a connection to my roots, my family, and the happy times I’ve had. I do understand that, someday, I'd like to have a mouthful of abacha and that would be all the more enjoyable because of the time that would have elapsed since my last meal. Until then, I’ll keep hoping and maybe even save up to buy it when I find it next.

Images are screenshots on my phone
This entry is in response to the #januaryinleo prompt day 14.

Posted Using INLEO