Garri, known in Nigerian pop language as “grocery”, is still one of Nigeria’s go to nourishing staple despite economic challenges. First, let’s redefine the way we view garri. Gone are the days when it was merely a humble staple; now, it’s a symbol of resilience and resourcefulness. Garri is food!!! This is not to even belittle the nutritional content of garri as a popular nutrition app, nutritionix, analysed a cup of garri as containing: 0 mg cholesterol, 67mg sodium, total carbohydrates of 37%, dietary fibre of 7.2g protein 8.4g and potassium of 1221.2mg.
Remember the time when a cup of garri costs just N10, accompanied by affordable sugar, milk, and groundnut? At most, maybe you spend N50 for a wholesome garri plate. But such is not the case anymore!!! The story has changed, and garri is no longer common in its simplicity. It has evolved into a “big man’s food”, signifying a shift in its perception. What exactly is it about garri that we can’t do without? No doubt, this is a time to embrace the simplicity of soaking garri; a process that requires no gas, making it an economical choice in times of rising fuel and gas costs. Garri, often overlooked as a common food, is a cereal with potential health benefits. Just like malls and pharmacies sell cereals like cornflakes and nuts, garri now takes it’s deserved place on shelves.
Amid the price hike and economic frustrations, remember that food is the best medicine. Garri, with its versatility, can be a source of comfort and nutrition. From the traditional mix of sugar, milk, and groundnut/kulikuli to more creative additions, garri offers a canvas for culinary exploration for your breakfast, dinner or even lunch. Have you considered a heartwarming gesture of receiving a bucket of garri as a birthday surprise from a caring father? Yes, that was a celebrated experience of a social media user recently on X (Twitter). This, however, serves as a reminder that, whether rich or poor or just facing a momentary financial constraints; garri remains a steadfast companion. Let’s face the reality of price hikes together. Right now, garri isn’t just a fallback option; it’s a statement of resilience.
Garri is food!!! So, drink your garri with pride, not just as a pass over thing but as a food, and testament to adapting, thriving, and finding joy in the simple things during challenging times. Like Ijebu garri rises, with raised hope, consider the combinations below to draw inspiration from the local flavours and readily available ingredients to transform your garri drinking as part of your regular meal timetable:
1. Streetwise delight: Garri, sugar, milk and roasted groundnut
2. Tropical bliss: Garri, chopped bananas, coconut milk and rushed peanuts
3. Local flavour combo: Garri, tigernuts (aya), oasted coconut flake, drizzle of local honey
4. Suya spiced: Garri, duya /kilishi, gilled/fried plantains
5. Protein powerhouse: Garri, greek yogurt, almonds or walnuts, shredded chicken/fried beef
6. Breakfast boost: Garri, chopped fruits (bananas, carrots, pineapples or apples), honey or syrup, Nuts for crunch
7. Savoury delight: Garri, spiced èfó riro with (tomatoes, onions, and peppers) with sardines or shredded chicken
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