Cookbook:Nigerian Yam Balls (Ji Akpurakpu)

Nigerian Yam Balls (Ji Akpurakpu)
Category	Nigerian recipes
Difficulty

Cookbook | Ingredients | Recipes

Nigerian yam balls, also called ji akpurakpu, are a fried Nigerian snack. They are yummy and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• White yam, peeled and cut into medium cubes
• Seasoning cube
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Butter, cubed
• Vegetable oil
• Onion, chopped
• Tatashe (red bell pepper), chopped
• Scotch bonnet chili pepper, chopped
• Milk
• Eggs

Procedure

1. Rinse the yam pieces and transfer to a pot. Cover with water, add the seasoning cube and black pepper, and cook on medium heat for about 25 minutes until the yam is soft.
2. Drain any remaining water from the yam. Stir in the salt and butter, and set aside.
3. Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan. Add the onions and peppers, and fry for about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
4. Mash the boiled yam, adding milk as you mash to make it moist and creamy. Stir in the fried peppers and onions, and mix well.
5. Mould the yam mixture into balls.
6. Break the eggs, and whisk them until combined.
7. Heat enough vegetable oil in a pot for deep-frying.
8. Dip the yam balls into the beaten egg, then transfer them to the hot oil. Fry until golden on all sides.
9. Remove the yam balls from the oil, and drain away any excess.
10. Serve.

Notes, tips, and variations

• Sweet potatoes can be used in the absence of white yam. It will not taste the same but will produce the same end result.