Egusi Seeds?
Egusi seeds come from the Egusi gourd, which looks very similar to a watermelon. Unlike a watermelon, however, the fruit from the Egusi gourd is bitter and not edible, so these gourds are grown primarily for their seeds. These seeds are similar in size to small pumpkin seeds and a bit creamier in flavor.
They make up a really important component of many West African staples, including Egusi soup, which is a West African classic. It’s widely enjoyed in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon. Even though many of these countries and regions have their own little variations for how they prepare Egusi soup, the importance of the Egusi seeds remains the same.
Why Do We Love Egusi Seeds?
Like a lot of other nuts and seeds, Egusi seeds are very high in oil. They’re 50% oil, 78% of which is unsaturated fatty acids, which are the healthier type of fat! The oil produced from these seeds is rich and flavorful. They’re also 35% protein.
Egusi seeds are rich in vitamin A, which is crucial for forming and maintaining healthy bones. In addition, Egusi seeds are high in vitamins B1 and B2, which are both important for growth and the production of red blood cells. There’s a high concentration of vitamin C, too, which helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. Finally, Egusi seeds are also high in Niacin, which helps maintain healthy skin.
