What it is
A brown swallow made by stirring wholewheat flour or wheat meal into boiling water until stiff and smooth. It is denser and nuttier than semovita and holds its shape well when moulded.
Key ingredients
- Wholewheat flour or wheat meal
- Water
A list of what goes in, not a recipe. Quantities and method vary by household.
How it is eaten
Moulded into balls, pinched with the fingers and dipped into any Nigerian soup, most often egusi, okro or vegetable soup.
Cultural significance
Wheat swallow became popular in Nigerian cities as the swallow recommended for people managing diabetes and weight, and it is now standard on restaurant menus beside eba and pounded yam. It is a packaged, modern staple rather than a traditional dish, which is exactly why it spread quickly through urban households.
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