West Africa · Street food
Gonré (Steamed Black-Eyed Pea Cakes in Leaves)
Savory steamed cowpea puddings seasoned with soumbala and potash, wrapped in fresh leaves and served with spicy spiced oil.
The story
Gonré is an iconic Mossi culinary treasure sold by women street vendors in Burkinabè markets and prepared during naming rites and traditional ancestral ceremonies. Distinct from coastal West African moin-moin, gonré typically preserves the bean skins to retain fiber and earthy flavor while employing a touch of alkali to soften the batter and impart a springy, sponge-like bite. It is invariably served warm, drizzled with raw unrefined peanut oil infused with fiery dried chili powder and chopped raw onions.
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