How to Make Plantain Pudding

Plantain pudding is a spicy and savory dish loved by Nigerians. If you are familiar with moi-moi, then you will understand when we say that this pudding is also called corn-plantain moi-moi. It is called different names in various parts of the country. In Nigeria, some call it ‘ukpo ogede’ or ‘epiti’ or ’emieki’ while others call it ‘ukwoka’. In Ghana, some call it ‘akakle’.

The plantain pudding is a delicacy prepared with very ripe plantains and cornmeal. It is prepared to be spicy to balance the very sweet taste of the overripe plantains. It can be taken with pap, custard, sauce, or sauteed vegetables. Read on to find out the ingredients and process for preparing plantain pudding.

Ingredients

The ingedients needed to make plantain pudding include:

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2 ripe Plantains

1 cup CornMeal  or CornFlour (but cornmeal is better for plantain pudding)

3 fresh pepper chopped

1 medium Tatashe

1 medium size Onion

Half cup of smoked Prawns

One and a half tablespoons of ground Crayfish

2 cups Palm nut extract or ¼ Palm oil

3 cloves (optional)

Salt and Seasoning to taste

Banana/Plantain leaves or small plastic bowls or even aluminum foil to wrap or put the batter.

Steps to Prepare Plantain Pudding

1. Wash, peel and cut the ripe plantains into little bits.
2. Add the cornmeal to the sliced plantains, sliced onions, crayfish, and pepper.  
3. Pour in the palm nut extract (or palm oil) and blend all the ingredients together into a smooth consistency.
4. Then, add seasoning and salt to taste.
5. To cook the pudding, pour batter into banana leaves, foil, or plastic bowls. If you are using plastic bowls, then oil the insides of each bowl before pouring in some of the batter into each bowl or wrap.. 
6. Lay a strong sack bag inside the pot to prevent the plastic bowls, foil, or banana leaves from sticking to it. You may also lay sticks instead.
7. Place the wraps or plates of batter inside the lined pot and add water gradually.
8. Cook on low heat for about 40-45 minutes while checking the water levels at intervals to ensure it has not dried up. 
9. Before putting down the pot, ensure that the puddings are firm enough and cooked through.
10. And your plantain pudding, ukwoka or epiti or ukpo ogede is ready to be served with any side dish of your choice.

Plantain pudding is a healthy meal. Most young folks love it and it makes a perfect breakfast in most homes. To watch a video on how to prepare it Ghanaian style or Nigerian style. For more food and wellness articles, follow our food blog.