Róbó (Fried Egusi Paste)
Róbó is a Yoruba snack made by frying a paste of toasted egusi seeds. The technique is what sets it apart: kneading the ground seeds with blended onion coaxes out their own oil, and that same oil is then used to fry the shaped pieces. The result has a crisp shell and a soft middle, with a peppery, nutty flavor. It works as a snack or beside pap and garri.
Instructions
Pick over the melon seeds and remove any dirt and debris.
Heat a clean, dry frying pan over low heat. Add the seeds and dry-fry them, stirring often, until they are golden all over. Take care not to let them burn, then remove from the heat and let them cool.
Grind the toasted seeds together with the dried cayenne pepper into a smooth paste. No water is needed. In a separate bowl, blend the onions and spring onions into a fine, smooth paste.
Tip the melon seed paste onto a clean, dry tray and add about one-third of the onion paste. Knead with both hands, adding more onion paste gradually, until the mixture starts to release oil.
Pour off the released oil into a bowl and keep it for frying. Keep kneading in the remaining onion paste until it is all used and no more oil comes out. The mixture should now be a semi-solid paste. Season with salt.
Cut the paste into small pieces and shape them however you like.
Heat the reserved oil in a clean pan over medium heat, ideally a deep one. Add the pieces and fry until each has a crusty outer shell and a relatively soft inside.
Lift the róbó out of the oil and drain off the excess. Eat it as a snack or alongside pap, garri, custard or oats.
Make it personal.
Custom engraved cutting boards, utensils, and kitchen accessories. Great gifts for anyone who cooks.
Shop Custom Chef →Affiliate link · PicksByRecipe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
