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Egusi

"Melon seed" redirects here. For the Chinese baked seed also known by this name, see Guazi.
Egusi seeds without shells
Egusi seeds with shells

Egusi, also spelled egushi (Yoruba: Ẹ̀gúṣí), are the protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous plants (squash, melon, gourd), which, after being dried and ground, are used as a major ingredient in West African cuisine.[1][2] Egusi is a Yoruba word,[3] and the popular method of cooking it is deeply rooted in Yoruba culinary traditions.[4]

Egusi melon seeds are large and white in appearance; sometimes they look brownish or off-white in color but the main egusi color is primarily white.[5]

Scholars disagree whether the word is used more properly for the seeds of the colocynth, those of a particular large-seeded variety of the watermelon, or generically for those of any cucurbitaceous plant.[6] Egusi seeds are in a class of their own and should never be mistaken for pumpkin or watermelon seeds. In particular the name "egusi" may refer to either or both plants (or more generically to other cucurbits) in their capacity as seed crops, or to a soup made from these seeds and popular in West Africa.[7]

The characteristics and uses of all these seeds are broadly similar. Major egusi-growing nations include Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Mali, and Cameroon.[6]

Species from which egusi is derived include Melothria sphaerocarpa (syn. Cucumeropsis mannii) and Citrullus lanatus.[8]

  1. ^ Rachel C. J. Massaquoi, "Groundnut, Egusi, Palm Oil, and Other Soups", in Foods of Sierra Leone and Other West African Countries: A Cookbook, AuthorHouse, 2011, p. 36.
  2. ^ Ukegbu, Kavachi Michelle (2021). The art of fufu : a guide to the culture and flavors of a West African tradition. Grubido. Austin, Texas. ISBN 978-1-62634-596-6. OCLC 1241244901.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Dictionary Of Yoruba Language. Lagos Church Missionary Society. 1913. pp. 90, 93.
  4. ^ William Bascom. "Yoruba Cooking". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute: 125–127.
  5. ^ National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Science and Technology for International Development (2006). Lost crops of Africa. Volume II, Vegetables. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-66582-7. OCLC 85851965.
  6. ^ a b National Research Council (2006). "Egusi". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables. National Academies Press. pp. 158 (155–171). doi:10.17226/11763. ISBN 978-0-309-10333-6.
  7. ^ Aninkan, Anjola S.; Makinde, Eyitayo A. (2021-08-23). "Fertilizer Rate for Optimum Growth and Yield of Egusi Melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.)/ Hot Pepper (Capsicum chinense, Jackquin cv. rodo) Intercrop". 5th International Students Science Congress. Izmir International Guest Student Association. doi:10.52460/issc.2021.005. ISBN 9786057073723. S2CID 238738395.
  8. ^ Blench, Roger (2006). Archaeology, language, and the African past. Altamira Press. ISBN 9780759104655.

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