Description

Egusi Melon Seed

Egusi melon seed known botanically as Citrullus lanatus is a popular seed grown and mostly used in West Africa especially in Nigeria, and It is grown for the seed which is rich in protein and its use in preparing assorted dishes, especially soup.

The seeds also contain high quantity of edible oil and could be classified as a minor oilseed crop. Egusi melon seed is used mostly in the preparation of ethnic food delicacy known as egusi soup, egusi stew and salad, and in some cases can be used in thickening soups.

Feco ground or whole egusi is properly handpicked, cleaned, neatly and hygienically processed from Igbo egusi melon seeds which have a moderate thickening ability and stored in air-tight containers to retain taste and freshness.

Egusi soup is by far the most common Nigerian soup and this soup appears on many menu lists. It is prepared with blended egusi melon seeds with vegetables or without vegetables, dried fish, smoked fish, stockfish, assorted meat, beef or goat meat. Bitter leaf, oha leaf or fluted pumpkin are common vegetables used in preparing egusi soup.

Common ingredients used in preparing Egusi soup from egusi melon seed

• ground Egusi (Melon seeds)
• goat meat cut into medium sizes
• medium size Shaki (cow tripe)
• medium size smoked or iced fish
• head stockfish
• stockfish fillets
• dried catfish
• palm oil
• ground crayfish
• scotch bonnet peppers
• Vegetable: bitter leaf, Ugu (Nigerian pumpkin leaves), oha, waterleaf or spinach
• seasoning cubes
• ogiri okpei
• Salt (to taste)
• water

Egusi melon seed is packed with many vital and beneficial nutrients which are good for the body. They are good sources of the tryptophan, amino acids arginine, and methionine. Vitamins B1, B2, and niacin are well represented as well as the minerals sulfur, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, and zinc.