Monkey Business

Before I go away to Ghana on holiday, I find myself dreaming of all the tasty treats I’ve missed, so …wait for this …I list all the things I look forward to eating! (don’t laugh I’m serious). A popular street food I love and a childhood favourite has to be boiled monkey nuts, sold by street hawkers everywhere you turn.

Monkey nut seller

 

Saabo - unwrapped

 

Saabo - corn and peanuts
This is closely followed by corn and peanuts wrapped tightly in corn husks and steamed till tender (a bit like a Mexican tamale), called Saabo. When I spot a saabo seller, it’s almost like an emergency pit-stop, I’m full of childhood excitement with my ‘dream come true’! and always buy more than I can eat to the delight of the seller! Just thinking about it, I can almost smell the aroma that comes off the steam as you unwrap and that first taste of satisfaction.

 

Boiled monkey nuts with sweetcorn

 

Boiled monkey nuts

 

nuts and corn

 

When I get back to England, my speedy alternative is to buy some raw monkey nuts from a supermarket, boil them till tender and mix with sweetcorn, then sit back enjoy and dream of Takoradi. I can’t tell you how yummy this is, you just have to try it. It’s such a simple pleasure.

 

6 Replies to "Monkey Business"

  • comment-avatar
    Ama Maher March 30, 2017 (8:59 am)

    Patti, thank you for sharing these amazing photos of my favourite dessert.

    • comment-avatar
      Patti Sloley March 30, 2017 (9:20 am)

      Ama the seller always thinks I’m nuts (pardon the pun) but I just can’t get enough of it and still enjoy it when its cold. I bought some cooked chestnuts from a supermarket yesterday and trust me, they taste just like boiled peanuts!1 That’s going to be my new found snack 🙂

  • comment-avatar
    Ofo March 30, 2017 (5:43 pm)

    Patti thanks for providing the alternative to the original groundnuts&corn snack. I was about to write you demanding one when I reached the end of the post and saw it! Thanks-problem solved. I shall be making my boiled peanuts and sweetcorn…no corn leaves though.

    • comment-avatar
      Patti Sloley March 30, 2017 (7:27 pm)

      Ofo it’s such a gorgeous snack! I’ve tried the boiled nuts,sweetcorn AND chestnuts (vacuum packed from supermarkets) mixed together, what a treat! That is a must, the trouble is I eat too much of it! haha!

  • comment-avatar
    Ofo March 31, 2017 (5:00 pm)

    I made some with a little twist. I added peas and it’s delicious. Was going to say you should put your chestnuts in the mix. I see you already did. Next goal, boiled chestnuts, peanuts,corn and peas..

    • comment-avatar
      Patti Sloley March 31, 2017 (6:48 pm)

      How exciting!Looks like summer’s going to be fun!Have a good weekend cooking, eating and sharing XX

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.