The Diary Game : Preparing Cocoayam porridge (25.08.2026)

Hello beloved, good evening. I trust you had a great day because I did. Yesterday was all about a local delicacy known as Cocoayam porridge. and I would love to take you guys on the journey of how it was prepared from scratch.

^{Introducing Cocoyam}

Cocoyam in the southern part of Nigeria is a root crop that is prepared into some local dishes like porridges and sometimes used to thicken soups. Here in Akwa Ibom State, Cocoyam is a local rich cultural food and my people are of the opinion that it helps nursing mothers with the right nutrients they need.

^{The first step}

To prepare this local delicacy called Cocoyam porridge, the first ingredient that will be needed is the Cocoyam. The back of the root crop is peeled off, sliced into a desirable shape and washed thoroughly to remove sand and dirts because it is uprooted from the soil. It is a local dish and we prefer grating it to blending it to give us that local vibe.

^{After grating/blending}

This is what the cocoyam looks like after grating or blending it. Now the next step is to set this aside and prepare other ingredients that will be needed. This food is cooked with hot water, so I boiled a cup of water, pounded my crayfish and pepper, prepared my local dry fish and seasoning cubes when the water boiled i added all the ingredients stirred it properly to ensure that everything blends together and then covered the pot for it to boil again.

^{Adding the main ingredient}

Before adding the Cocoyam, I allowed the water to boil for about 10 to 15 minutes and then I started mounding it with my hands into smaller balls, patiently putting it into the boiling water one by one until everything was added after that i added red oil and covered the pot for about 20 minutes and allowed it to cook properly.

^{Adding scent leaf}

After allowing my food to cook for about 20 minutes, I went to my little garden to get some scent leaf. The purpose of the scent leaf was to add a little flavor to my food. I washed it properly, sliced it and added it, allowed it to cook on low heat for one minute because I wanted it fresh and then my food was ready.

^{Food was ready}

My food was ready and served. Most people enjoy eating it with eba because of the thick porridge. we enjoy eating it with our bare hands. so tell me if you would love to try it. Thank you guys for sharing in my today’s journey. I hope to do this some other time. stay safe.