Preserving Nigerian foodstuffs is an integral part of African culture, allowing them to last longer and enabling consumers to prepare their meals later. Preserving local Nigerian foods has become an essential aspect of food security during this era of globalization. The following are several ways to preserve Nigerian foods, which will help you in preserving your family’s food for future use.
Store Your Foodstuffs in Air-Tight Containers
Nigerian Foodstuffs are perishable, which means that they will lose their freshness and flavour over time. The best way to keep your food fresh and preserve its original taste is by storing it in air-tight containers.
Air-tight containers will not allow oxygen to enter the container, thus preventing the loss of moisture and allowing your foodstuff to retain its natural taste.
The use of air-tight containers can also help you keep your foodstuffs fresh for longer periods of time.
Airtight containers will prevent any harmful gases from entering the container, thus ensuring that all the nutrients and flavours remain intact until you decide to use them.
Fermentation
Fermentation is one of the most effective ways to preserve Nigerian foodstuffs.
Fermentation is a process whereby microorganisms convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide or organic acids. Fermented foods are preserved because their natural preservative qualities are increased by microorganisms.
The process of fermentation can be divided into two stages: primary and secondary. In the primary stage, lactic acid bacteria convert sugars into acetic acid (vinegar) while yeasts convert sugars into alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. In the secondary stage, lactic acid bacteria convert acetic acid into lactic acid, which acts as a preservative.
There are certain foods that have a natural ability to ferment without any addition of spices or other ingredients from outside their original form before fermentation begins. These include: root crops such as yam, and cassava root; leafy vegetables such as cabbage and cabbage heads; fruits such as pineapple; seeds such as groundnut or sesame seeds; nuts such as cashews; soybeans
Drying
Drying is one of the best ways to preserve Nigerian foodstuffs. It is a low-tech method that requires little equipment and no electricity.
Drying foods minimizes the loss of nutrients, water and flavour by removing moisture from the food.
The process uses heat and air to dry foods out. The process allows you to store large quantities of dried foodstuffs in their own containers with minimal packaging.
Sprouting
Sprouting is a method of preserving Nigerian foodstuffs by allowing them to grow in the absence of oxygen. The process involves placing seeds in a moist, dark environment and allowing them to sprout.
Sprouting can be done at home, but it is more practical to use commercial sprouting kits. These kits contain everything needed for sprouting, including a container, water and seeds.
The main difference between conventional and commercial sprouts is that the latter are usually larger and more nutritious than those produced at home. Also, commercial sprouts are typically packaged in jars or pouches that allow them to keep for up to three days after opening them. This makes them ideal for long-term preservation since they don’t require refrigeration like other types of foodstuffs.
Home-made sprouts can also be preserved through cooking and dehydration methods.
Juicing
When it comes to preserving Nigerian foodstuffs, juicing is the most preferred method. You can preserve your Nigerian foodstuffs by using juicing.
There are several ways in which you can preserve your Nigerian delicacies using juicing. Some of the ways are:
You can use this method to preserve any type of meat or fish. For instance, if you want to preserve fish, then use the juice of watermelon or pineapple. It will help in enhancing the taste of your fish and also make it last longer.
You can also use this method to preserve any type of vegetable you wish to store for later use in your fridge for longer periods of time. For instance, if you want to store some cabbage for later use, then choose a juice that suits your taste best and add it into a container with water after diluting it with filtered water first (to make sure there are no impurities)
You can also use this method to preserve fruits such as mangoes and oranges by adding their juices into a container with filtered water after diluting them with filtered water first (to make sure there are no impurities)
Freezing
Freezing is a great way of preserving your Nigerian foodstuffs food but it doesn’t work for every item. You need to check if the item has a low freezing point or is soluble in water.
You can use freezer bags or containers with lids to freeze your foods. Make sure that you label the bag or container with the date and contents so that you know if it has been used before.
You can also use a freezer tray or ice cube tray and fill it with your food before placing it in the freezer. The advantage of this method is that you don’t need any special equipment since you are using something that already exists in your kitchen.
Boiling
This is probably the most popular method of preserving Nigerian foodstuffs. It is an easy way to preserve already prepared foods such as yam and plantain, but can also be used for fresh vegetables such as green beans or carrots, meats like chicken and beef or fish such as sardines.
The key with this method is to bring everything to a boil prior to covering it with a lid and cooking on low heat for at least 20 minutes before removing it from the heat source. This will kill off any bacteria present in the food and prevent them from reproducing again.
In short, it is not only possible to preserve Nigerian foodstuffs, but it is also simple. With the right basic materials, anyone can take advantage of the natural preservative qualities in some of Nigeria’s staple foods.
And remember: when it comes to food preservation and cooking, you can’t know all the answers. There’s always more to learn—and that’s half the fun!