West Africa · Side
Iru (Fermented African Locust Bean Relish)
A deeply pungent, savory Yoruba table relish slow-fried with fresh fermented locust beans, shallots, smoked fish flakes, and sun-dried ground peppers.
The story
Originating among the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria, this concentrated relish elevates humble daily staples into robustly flavored meals. It is traditionally ladled alongside steaming bowls of boiled yam, roasted plantains, or used to crown vegetable soups during family gatherings. Historically, the alkaline fermentation of Parkia biglobosa seeds transforms bitter proteins into potent glutamates, serving as the indigenous West African predecessor to modern bouillon cubes.
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