Nut
Egusi seeds
Also called egusi, ground egusi, melon seeds, agushi
Shelled seeds of a West African gourd, sold whole or ground. They thicken soup into a nutty, grainy body.
Origin
West Africa, Nigeria and Ghana above all.
Flavour
Mild, nutty, a little like pumpkin seed. Takes on palm oil and crayfish readily.
How to use it
Grind to a coarse flour, mix to a paste with water or onion, and fry in palm oil or drop into hot stock as lumps.
Storage
Airtight in the fridge or freezer. The oil in the seeds goes rancid at room temperature within weeks.
