Sierra Leone: Oleleh, Agidi

Now on to the well know Sierra Leone. This dish that I will be talking about is called Oleleh, Agidi. This dish is a popular cuisine to all Sierra Leone citizens. Sierra Leone is an African state with various rivers and cascades, among fields and high platforms. The agricultural plantations are set on wide territories and the most significant products are coffee, rice, cocoa, coconut palms, manioc and citrus fruits. Being representative for the African cuisine, the Sierra Leonean cuisine includes cassava, yams, plantains, bananas, red palm oil, peanuts and other fruits and vegetables. Meat is best represented by fish, which is found in the coastal areas.  Okay, enough history on Sierra Leone. Oleleh is a custard-like snacks traditionally wrapped and steamed in kola or banana leaves, tamale-like are two of the more interesting street foods you’ll find in Freetown. Oleleh, shown in the picture below, is made of ground binch, or black-eyed beans, along with palm oil, onion, and various seasonings; while the sweeter yellow-colored agidi is made with pounded corn. Both are soft and moist, though the agidi is more gelatinous in texture. Agidi is not just a favorite for Sierra Leoneans but also for Nigerians. Us Nigerians call the Agidi Moi Moi.When Nigerians make moi moi at home/America we use foil instead of leaves so cook it because we don't have the ingredients here in America. Hope you try out this amazing dish. Bon Appetite Luvs!