Simple Steps On How To Cook Edikang Ikong Soup ( Edikaikong Soup )

Edikang Ikong soup, also known as edikaikong is a popular Nigerian soup with roots from Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State. The soup is made with leaves known as waterleaf and ugu (fluted pumpkin) or spinach; fish, meat, and periwinkle among other ingredients.

From its ingredients to how best to prepare as well as how it is best served, is all to know.

All the Necessary Ingredients to Use for Edikang Ikong

Edikaikong Ingredients

Ugu leaves (fluted pumpkin) or spinach (1kg)
Waterleaves (200g)
Any meat of your choice (500g)
Cow skin (ganda/kanda)
Smoked fish and stockfish (optional)
Periwinkles (optional) (1 cup)
Crayfish
Seasoning (2 cubes or a sachet)
Palm oil (250ml)
Salt
Fresh Pepper

How to Prepare Edikang Ikong Soup the Traditional Way and with and Without Periwinkles

Before you start preparing the soup, have in mind that the waterleaf already contains water and so it is important to use only palm oil as the liquid in your soup after boiling meat.

Step-By-Step Guide to Follow

Separately wash the different vegetables that you intend to use
Slice all the vegetables into different bowls
Slice the onions separately
Wash the meat, fish, Periwinkle, and any other protein that you intend to use
Boil the meat with seasoning and salt
Add fish and Periwinkle to the boiled meat
Drain the water and keep it aside
Place your palm oil and add onion, pepper, and crayfish
Return the meat, periwinkle, fish, and stockfish (optional) to the pot with the mixed ingredients and let it boil a little
Add water leaf to the mixture and leave it for another 5 minutes
Put your pumpkin (or spinach) in the same mixture
Add salt, stir it, and let it sit for about 5 minutes on the fire
Serve with any swallow

Is Afang Soup the Same as Edikaikong?

Afang and Edikaikong are 2 different soups but look similar. Afang soup’s main ingredient is Afang leaf (Okazi in Igbo) while Edikang Ikong soup is made with waterleaf, Ugu, or spinach.

The soups are also different in terms of taste. Afang has a slightly bitter taste while Edikaikong does not have this taste.

Does Edika Ikong Have any Nutritional Benefits?

Yes, edikaikong soup has a number of nutritional benefits such as being a source of energy, increasing bone health, and helping respiratory health among other benefits.

Here is the content of some ingredients in the soup.

Content of some Edikaikong's Ingredients

Waterleaf: contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin E, Omega – 3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, and soluble fibers (pectin)
Ugu: contains Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, magnesium, potassium, Protein, thiamin, niacin
Meat: protein, fat, zinc, iron, phosphorus
Smoked fish: Fat, potassium, protein, potassium, selenium
Periwinkles: Protein, potassium, Vitamin E, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium
Crayfish: protein, fat, zinc, vitamin B, copper, amino acids

The Edikang Ikong soup serves as one of the most interesting Nigerian soups and African dishes. While the recipe here may be the most popular, the leaves are the most important ingredients while the others could easily be switched to one’s preference.