Tuo Zaafi (TZ) is a traditional and popular food from northern Ghana that is made from maize or millet flour served with a succulent green leaf soup made with ayoyo (jute leaves), spinach, or a similar green.
It is very nutritious food that provides energy, and is a staple food for many households. Tuo Zaafi consists only of maize flour, or powdered millet, water (and optional cassava flour for a smoother consistency). You'll need some maize flour, water, and optionally cassava flour to get the preparation underway. First, make some porridge with a portion of the maize flour and water. Then, when the porridge thickens (but is not too thick), start adding more maize flour into the boiling porridge while stirring so that it does not clump together. Keep stirring and pounding over medium heat until it becomes thick, smooth, and stretchy. When this is satisfied, pour a little hot water over the top of the tuo, and put a lid on top to steam for a couple of minutes and resume stirring until it is thoroughly cooked.
The soup to accompany the TZ is usually made with some form of meat or fish boiled with onions, tomatoes, and pepper (for taste); occasionally the soup is enhanced using groundnut paste or powdered fish with seasoning such as dawadawa (fermented locust bean). After boiling with the ingredients, the green leaves (ayoyo, or spinach) is added while continuing to boil until soft and somewhat slimy, with palm oil added for taste. When both tuo and soup is ready, scoop some Tuo Zaafi into a bowl and serve hot, with the soup on top including a generous amount of meat or fish.Tuo Zaafi is a nutritious and complete meal. The maize flour gives carbohydrates for energy, the green leafy soup gives vitamins, minerals, and iron, and eventually the meat or fish adds protein. As a whole, it provides a complete meal that is filling. Foods such as TZ are filling and also culturally important especially in the northern parts of Ghana.
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