Usi (Starch)
Usi, also known as starch, is a traditional food dish of the Urhobo and Isoko peoples of Nigeria. It is made from cassava (Manihot esculenta) and is commonly served as a staple accompaniment to soups, especially Banga soup and other palm fruit–based dishes.
Preparation
The process involves:
- Extracting starch from grated cassava.
- Settling and sieving the starch in water.
- Cooking the starch with continuous stirring until it becomes glossy, stretchy, and gelatinous.
Usi is distinct for its elastic texture, translucent appearance, and slippery consistency when properly prepared.
Cultural Significance
Usi is not only a regular dish in many Urhobo and Isoko homes but also features in festivals, weddings, and traditional ceremonies, often symbolizing abundance and hospitality.
See Also
References
- Traditional Urhobo and Isoko food practices
- Oral culinary histories from Delta State communities