Kenkey-A Staple Food in the Country GhanaBy: Michael Manning, Christine Richardson, and Tara Smith

Where is Ghana?

A Little Information About Ghana

Capital of Ghana is Accra~70% live in Southern half and the most denselyPopulated cities areAccra and Kumasi

Information con’t

As of 2012, Ghana had population of 25,000,000 There are 30+ languages spoken but English is

official language-most widely spoken local languages are:Ga, Dagomba, Akan, and Ewe

Main religion is Christian (71%)-traditional religion makes up ~5% and Muslim accounts for ~17%

More Demographics…

Most of population are 0-14 years of age7.5% of the country is considered obese14.3% of the children under the age of 5 are

considered underweight

Economy and Agriculture

56% of the population is involved agricultureA quarter of Ghana GDP relies on agriculture

and other natural resources Including gold, cocoa, oil, rice, peanuts,

bananas, shea nuts, cassava, etc…

Local Markets

Roadside stands sell a variety of local food, beverages, and other goods No license is needed to sell alcohol

Restaurants are uncommonAt farmers markets, the women usually sell

the agriculture and fishing supplies

Eating PracticesA big emphasis on eating in the home with

guests Sit around large table and share a bowlEat with right handEldest gets the best piece of meat, but will save a portion for the children

Chop bars Bench, or table with a variety of food and beverages Considered improper to be seen eating in public Mostly working, or single men eat regularly at theses stands Often men will take a couple shots of alcohol, and then go eat at the stands

Tradition

Young girls are taught how to cook by mothers

Recipes are passed down orally It is looked down upon if the woman has

written recipes

Basic Diet

Centered around starchy staple food-primarily corn and often times rice

-Because of the increase of import of rice, the consumption of rice has also increasedDishes are usually served with side of meat

typically seen in the form of fish Fish is usually fried, baked, or grilled Smoked fish is rare

Basic Diet Continued

Most starchy meals are served with a sauce, or incorporated into a stew or soup

The basic sauce includes tomatoes, onions, herbs and oil

Spicy foods are very prevalent Believed to cooling and cleanse the body of

impurities

Diet con’t

Different regions and/or tribes are known for specific food Ga (coastal) is known for a lot of fish Ashanti is known for plantains and vegetables Northern region emphasizes grains and rice

Kenkey is a dish known to be especially tasty in the capital-Accra

Kenkey

Dokonu and Komi are other names for dishFermented corn dish typically served with

fried fish and sauce called pepe, or shito

Kenkey con’t

Kenkey con’t

Kenkey con’t

Kenkey is thought to have originated in Ghana and now different forms of it can be found by different tribes Mushed kenkey AKA iced kenkey Ga-kenkey is covered with 1 corn husk Fante-kenkey is covered with a few plantain leaves

and not served with fish or sauce Lasts longer than Ga-kenkey and has different flavor

due to the different leaves Also similar form of it made in Jamaica called

dokunoo, dokono, dokunu, blue drawers, and tie-a-leaf

A Little History…Corn: Where Did it Come From??

NO ONE KNOWS!Most agree it was the Portuguese that first

introduced corn to the coasts of AfricaMany also believe that corn was also

introduced from Mediterranean to Egypt then to inland Africa Portuguese has “flint type” of corn and

Mediterranean has “flour type”

Corn con’t

Therefore, the general consensus is that corn was introduced first by Portuguese but that type of corn remained near the coast line but a different strain of corn was introduced at a different point in time and that type of corn remained more inland

Why Fried Fish?

Ghana is located on the coast of AfricaThere are a number ofrivers Fish is easily accessible throughout country

Why Pepe?

Pepe is a tomato-based sauce seasoned with onions, chilli powder, and along with other optional seasonings like garlic

Tomatoes, onions, and chillis are grown throughout Ghana

The Process

Kenkey (fermented corn) Soak in water for 3-5 days

If totally covered by water it will not germinate Strain H2O Wash it Mill it

Dry (4-5 times) Wet (1-2 times)

The Process (cont.)

After milled: make paste Add H2O as needed Put into a bowl/bucket (3-5 days)

This is when most of the fermenting occurs

Cooking (Two Stages) Divide fermented dough into two Half (make into cakes/balls)

Cook in boiling water half way through (30 min)

The Process (cont.)

The 2nd Part:Mix with the ½ uncookedCover with corn husks (occasionally made

with plantain leaves)Put into boiling H2O (2-6 hours)

SERVE HOT!

Recap and Main Nutritional points

Fermented foods Help with digestion Increases beneficial gut flora

Keneky is high in CHO and protein Pepe contain onions, garlic, tomatos and

capsaicin which have been associated to help with CVD and some Cancers

Fish is a complete protein source and high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

References

Dede, Alice. Ghanian Favourite Dishes. Accra, Ringway Press, 1969.

Ghana. Ghanian Embassy. Globescope Inc., n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2013.

Miracle, Marvin P. “The Introduction and Spread of Maize in Africa.” The Journal of African History 6.01 (1965): 39. Print.

Klevor, Moses. Personal interview. 1 Sept. 2013.

References

Salm, Steven J.. Culture and Customs of Ghana. Greenwood Press 2002.

“The Art of Fermentation” Wild Fermenation. N.p. n.d. Web. 02 Sept. 2013 http://www.wildfermentation.org/theartoffermentation/

The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 01 Sept. 2013

Amoa, B. Muller, H.G. Studies on Kenkey with Particular Reference to Calicum and Phytic Acid. American Association of Cereal Chemist. 1976. Web. 04 Sept. 2013