Description
A beloved delicacy from southeastern Nigeria made with tender cow foot in a rich palm oil sauce, perfect for sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs cow foot, cut into chunks, washed thoroughly
- 1 small onion
- 2 seasoning cubes
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup red palm oil
- 1 teaspoon edible potash (akanwu), dissolved in ¼ cup warm water and strained
- 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
- 1–2 teaspoons ground calabash nutmeg
- 1–2 scotch bonnet peppers, blended or finely chopped
- ½ cup ugba (oil bean seeds), washed (optional)
- Utazi leaves, thinly sliced, for garnish
- 1 small onion, sliced into rings, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the cow foot: Wash the cow foot chunks well. Place in a pot with the onion, seasoning cubes, and salt. Cover with water and boil until very tender, about 90 to 120 minutes. Discard the onion.
- Prepare the potash: Dissolve the potash in warm water and strain through a fine sieve, discarding any sediment. Only the strained liquid goes into the sauce.
- Make the palm oil sauce: Pour the palm oil into a clean pot over medium heat. Gradually add the strained potash water while stirring constantly. Stop adding potash water once the sauce thickens.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the ground crayfish, calabash nutmeg, and scotch bonnet. Mix until fully combined.
- Combine and heat through: Add the cooked cow foot to the palm oil sauce and stir thoroughly. Return to low heat and warm through for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer to a wooden bowl or serving dish. Top with sliced onion rings and thinly sliced utazi leaves. Serve warm.
Notes
Ugba is optional; the dish is traditional without it. If utazi leaves aren’t available, bitter leaf or kale can substitute. Nkwobi keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Nigerian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg