How to Make Cocoyam Paste (Ede Ofe) in a Blender Without a Mortar

Cocoyam Paste (Ede Ofe) made in a blender

Cocoyam (Ede Ofe) paste is usually made by pounding boiled cocoyam in a mortar, but in the absence of a mortar, you can also prepare it in a blender, just like I did in my varsity days..

Cocoyam  is a nutritious and healthy food,that is either eaten boiled, steamed or made into paste and used as soup thickeners.

The two common types of cocoyams in Nigeria are ''Colocasia esculenta'' & ''Xanthosoma sagittifolium root ''
   Although these two varieties are edible, Xanthosoma sagittifolium root '', is usually boiled , roasted, steamed and sometimes pounded to make fufu meals while ''Colocasia esculenta''(cocoyam/ede ofe) is used mostly in Nigeria to thicken soups and some species are known to itch the skin. This is the type we will be using to make this paste.

When made into paste, ''Colocasia esculenta''(cocoyam/ede ofe) is  used for adding viscosity  to Nigerian soups, such as  Bitter leaf soup(ofe onugbu), Nsala soup(White soup), Oha/Ora Soup, Ofe Owerri and a lot more.
  Cocoyam (Ede Ofe) is also known as ''taro'' or '' eddoe''.

Here`s a video on How to Make Cocoyam Paste (Ede Ofe) in a Blender Without a Mortar.

Ingredients&Material used
* 10 medium Cocoyam corms (Colocasia esculenta)
*  Hot water(enough to move the blender blades)
* A blender

Preparation
* Wash the cocoyam corms and place in a pot

* Add enough water to cover the cocoyams and leave to boil until soft

*  The cocoyam corms are ready for blending , when the skin peels off easily

* Now take out the boiled cocoyams from the pot. Peel off the skin and place in a blender

* Add a little hot water to the blender, enough to move the blades, and blend until smooth; and your  Cocoyam Paste (Ede Ofe) is ready for use.

If working with a larger quantity of cocoyams, blend in batches to avoid formation of lumps.You can make in advance and store in the freezer for later use.




 by Nky Lily Lete