Tasty Foods Utazi (Bitter Leaf Vine) 300g

Description

Tasty Foods Utazi (Bitter Leaf Vine) 300g is frozen utazi leaf — a sharply bitter, aromatic vine leaf distinct from regular bitter leaf (onugbu), traditionally used in small quantities for the punch of flavour it brings rather than as a main bulk vegetable. It's a defining ingredient in nsala soup (white soup), pepper soup and abacha (African salad).

How to prepare

• No need to thaw — slice thinly and add sparingly, as utazi's flavour is strong and meant to season rather than bulk out a dish.

Perfect for

• Nsala soup (white soup)
• Pepper soup
• Abacha (African salad)

Storage

• Keep frozen at -18°C until ready to use. Once opened, use promptly and do not refreeze.

Frequently asked

Is utazi the same as bitter leaf?

No — utazi (Gongronema latifolium) is a different, more aromatic vine leaf used in smaller quantities than bitter leaf (onugbu), which is used in greater bulk for soup.

How much should I use?

A little goes a long way — thinly sliced and added sparingly is traditional, rather than using it as a main vegetable.