East Africa · Side
Odii (Roasted Peanut and Sesame Seed Compound Paste)
A velvety, stone-ground savory butter made of roasted groundnuts and simsim seeds with smoky chili.
The story
In Northern and Eastern Uganda among the Acholi, Langi, and Iteso communities, Odii is the foundational culinary paste that enriches everyday meals. It is smeared directly onto warm sweet potatoes, stirred into green leafy stews like malakwang, or enjoyed with millet bread (atapa/kalo). Traditionally ground between an upper stone (otero) and lower granite slab (gure), the friction releases essential aromatic oils, forming a long-lasting, shelf-stable staple without any chemical preservatives.
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