Starches (Carbohydrates)Bintimani, An Expedition in West African Food Tasting
The use of starches foods as the primary filler is characteristic of every West African nation. Starchy plants are plentiful and easy to grow, which makes them inexpensive.
They provide simple carbohydrates for a quick energy source and also expand in the stomach somewhat, easing hunger with less food. Popular and often-used starches include yams, millet, corn, rice, black-eyed peas and sweet potatoes.
Rice |
Potato |
One root starch that is increasingly available in US supermarkets is cassava, which resembles a small tree trunk in its whole, raw state. Cassava is often milled into flour, which is then used to make a slightly sour and gummy dough called Fufu. Fufu is served alongside stews and soups, broken into small chunks and shaped into a small scoop, which acts like an edible spoon.
