As consumers of stew, Nigerians often rely on tomatoes as a central ingredient in many traditional dishes. However, recent price hikes have led many to seek alternative sauces for their daily meals.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of five economical, locally sourced stews and sauces that can be made without tomatoes.
1. Garden Egg Sauce
Garden Egg Sauce, a popular delicacy in southern Nigeria, serves as an excellent substitute for tomato stew. The essential ingredients include:
- Garden eggs (purple aubergine, white, or green)
- Palm oil
- Smoked fish
- Ground pepper (chili or scotch bonnet)
- Rinsed iru (fermented locust beans)
- Onions
- Crayfish
- Salt to taste
This versatile sauce pairs well with rice, yam, or plantain.
2. Pumpkin Leaf Sauce
Known locally as Ugu, pumpkin leaves are widely used in Nigeria. Pumpkin Leaf Sauce is not only flavorful but also healthy. To prepare this quick and delicious sauce, you need:
- Chopped pumpkin leaves
- Seasoned beef or chicken (optional)
- Meat stock
- Vegetable oil
- Chili pepper
- Onions
- Seasoning
- Salt to taste
3. Banga Stew
Also known as Ofe Akwu, Banga Stew is a palm nut stew native to the Igbo tribe. Although extracting palm oil juice from palm nuts can be time-consuming, the resulting dish is richly rewarding. Ingredients include:
- Palm fruits or palm fruit concentrate
- Beef
- Dry fish
- Vegetables (scent leaves for Ofe Akwu or dried, crushed bitter leaves for Delta-style Banga soup)
- Onions
- Crayfish
- Stock cubes
- Iru (fermented locust beans)
- Salt
- Chili pepper to taste
Read: Â The Health Benefits Of Okra/Okro Water
4. Baobab Leaf Stew
A northern Nigerian delicacy, Miyan Kuka, or Baobab Leaf Stew, is a favorite among the Hausa tribe and is usually served with white rice. Key ingredients are:
- Beef
- Onions
- Dried fish
- Hot peppers (washed, soaked, and flaked)
- Pounded kuka (baobab) leaves
- Dawadawa (fermented dried seeds of the African locust bean)
- Yaji (suya seasoning)
- A pinch of potash
- Palm oil
- Seasoning cubes
- Salt to taste
5. Ofada Stew
Commonly called Ayamase, Ofada Stew is typically served with Ofada rice, a special local variety. It can also accompany regular white rice, yam, plantain, and even spaghetti. The simple ingredient list includes:
- Unripe habanero peppers
- Green tatashe or green bell peppers
- Locust bean seasoning (iru, ogiri okpei, or dawadawa)
- Red palm oil
- Onions
- Crayfish
- Assorted meat and fish
These stews provide delicious and economical alternatives to traditional tomato-based sauces, ensuring that meals remain flavorful and satisfying despite rising tomato prices.
