Hidden Benefits of Sweet Potatoes and Local Cheese (Kwai da Kwai and Dankali) -By Ameenarh Abdul Fattah

Sweet Potatoes and Local Cheese known as ‘Kwai da Kwai and Dankali’ in Hausa language are one of the local foods loved and enjoyed by people in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

The local foods can be found anywhere in the country, especially in the Southern part, but it is so much loved by the Hausa people, even as meal while others consider them as ordinary snacks.

I do wonder why my fellow Danfodites cheaply fell for this local dish, I do imagine why they value this local dish, even more than Pizza and their own dish. One-day, I decided to have a taste of the food, I was walking briskly back to the hostel after a long boring chemistry lecture which lasted for about six hours, I was hardly making a move under the glorious sun of sokoto which was not helping matter that day.

As I passed through the hostel minimart, I perceived the aroma of sweet potatoes with local cheese in addition to sweet granded pepper with complete finishing ingredients. I couldn’t control myself as I swallowed a thick saliva and branched the shop, the woman was about packing the potatoes from hot oil, I couldn’t control my stomach which is making unfavorable sign of hunger, so, I deminded for the sum of #100 and quickly moved up to the hostel. I couldn’t control my watering mouth, I picked one immediately I entered the room, “wow,” I complemented it with joy. So, the secret of Danfodites’ unfinished love for ‘kwai da kwai’ lies in its taste? I asked myself rhetorically. I finished it and immediately sent a Yarinya girl to get me more of it. Ever since then, I have developed an unconditional love for ‘kwai da kwai’ and ‘Dankali’, I do eat it as my three-square meal. I became a regular customer, that the seller even do give on credit if stranded. I became known by all the students that come for sweet potatoes and local cheese.

I was known for my addicted love for this local food, both in hostel and school minimarts, I never knew that consuming it is not only the sweet but nutritional as well.

‘kwai da kwai and Dankali’ are the names for sweet potatoes and local cheese in sokoto and also some northern states in Nigeria.

Sweet potatoes: It is known as ‘Dankali’. It is a large, starchy, sweet tasting tuberous roots, it’s called several names in other parts of the world. In Argentina it’s called Rico, Brazil calls it Batata while in Mexico, Pero, Chile, and in central America, it’s called Camote. It contains natural value as far as 20.1g carbon, fat 0.1g, protein 1.6g, Vitamin A , thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Folate vitamin C, vitamin E energy. It also contains sugar, Minerals, Dietary fiber, Calcium, Iron, magnesium, mangenese, phosphorus, pottasium, sodium, and zinc.

Beside simple starches, raw sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates and beta carotene with moderate contents of other micronutrients, sweet potatoes is ranked the highest nutritional value among other foods.

So also, sweet potatoes has several benefits, it contains anti-flammatory, anti-diabetic and anti cancer properties, it helps protect vitamin A deficiency which helps decrease resistance to infectious diseases, it increase mortality for pregnant and lactating women and their children, it can also help manage diabetes (i.e regulate blood sugar level), it also help manage stress level and guide against ulcer, it can help in minimizing cardiovascular diseases, it also contains antimicrobial properties which help improve hair and skin, it’s also good for digestion, due to large amount of fiber.

It also helps to regulate blood pressure, it boosts fertality due to high level of vitamin A, it enhances good visions and memory.

Local Cheese: ‘Kwai da kwai’ known as Awara or Wara in Yoruba is made by boiling soya milk or milk(from cow), added to some coagulant to curtle the milk protein, further processing are frying and later frying.

Local chease both the milk or soya version contains several nutrients, it is rich in fat, protein, and little amount of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, it also contains good bacteria known as probiotics which helps regulate the Flora in the guts, it also contains all the eight essential amino acids and protect against cancer and heart diseases.

If all these nutritionas are contains in the just mention food, what about the grounded pepper put on it, it is not also for decorations, the grounded pepper is a versatile spices which improve metabolism, reduce cancer risk, keep arthritis, alleviates migraines, helps to sweat, supports weight loss, gets rid of gases, treats coughs, supports brain function, supports absorbtion of nutrients, acts as anti depressant, enhance digestion and help improve overall health.

That is among the reasons why you see Danfodites adding weights after the stressful semesters in the school.

As the finished product, the sellers do add cabbage for whoever wishes, which is also essential nutrients that helps improve digestion, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol level and ab excellent source of vitamin K, it prevents cancer, boosts the immunity, its rich in antioxidants, it raises level of inflammation and harden arteries.

So, dear Danfodites, if you are not a fan of ‘kwai da kwai and Dankali’, please make yourself an active fan. If you are one, then make yourself a regular fan, never lose the numerous vitamins and minerals for anything, I think I fell in love with ‘kwai da kwai and Dankali’ once again.

Ameenarh Abdul Fattah is a student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and a lover of Sweet Potatoes and Local Cheese (Kwai da Kwai and Dankali).