Agbeli kaklo - Bankyi akakro - The authentic African cassava fritters

 

In the Ewe Language spoken by the Ewes of Ghana, 'agbeli' means 'cassava' and hence the word 'agbeli kaklo' means 'cassava fritters'. In the Twi Language also, 'cassava' is known as 'bankyi' and hence the name 'bankyi kakro' means cassava fritters. This food is made from cassava and it has a great taste and mostly women are the people who produce and even sell commercially. Since cassava is farmed in most communities of the country, many food products are produced from this root tuber and one of them is the 'cassava fritters'. Culturally, it shows the kind of food crops produced in the land and also prevents cassava from going to waste in case there is abundant harvest that spoilage might be a threat. It is a way of value addition as well. 

I didn't like to eat cassava fritters because I just had a dislike for it but suddenly after some time, I dared to try and wow the taste caught me and I ever since loved it. I am going to share how this is made and even the various ways of consumption to enjoy with other recipes. 

Ingredient needed to make agbeli kakro

• Cassava
• Sugar
• Salt (powder)
• Cooking oil

Fresh cassava is cut and then peeled. Cut and peeled cassava is washed very well and grated into cassava dough or taken to the mill for grinding into dough. 

Cassava dough in a bowl

After grating cassava into dough, a clean white cloth is now used to hold the dough as it is squeezed to release the water. This step is to make sure a dough with very less moisture is obtained. After this is done, the dough is mixed with a little salt and sugar very well. The mixture is now formed into balls ready to be deep fried in oil.

Cassava dough balls ready to be fried

With a frying pan on fire, enough oil is poured in and as it heats, the balls are dipped into the oil for deep frying, The frying continues until the balls turn brown or brownish in color. Agbeli kaklo is now taken off the oil and put in a container. The frying continues until the entire balls are exhausted.

Serving

After frying, agbeli kaklo can be consumed like that or enjoyed with a soft drink. In another way, we eat cassava fritters with roasted groundnut or dry coconut. These two combinations actually taste great and amazing. 

This food is energy-giving since it is mainly from cassava composed largely or mainly of carbohydrates. Cassava fritters is also eaten with ground pepper or stew.

Agbeli kakro or bankyi kakro

Tips for best results in the preparation

It must be ensured that the cassava dough to be used is thoroughly squeezed to extract as much water as possible. When this is so, the fritters have a hard nature which means a longer life span and some that harden very well, feel very crunchy to enjoy.

Try this amazing food today and share your experiences.