Kontomire Stew (Ghanaian Spinach Stew) with Sankofa Seasoning

Kontomire stew is made with cocoyam leaves back home. In the US, spinach works beautifully, fresh or frozen. Palm oil, egusi and Sankofa Stew & Gravy Seasoning bring the flavor you remember.

Serves 4 · Prep 15 minutes · Cook about 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lb (about 900 g) fresh spinach, or two 10 oz bags frozen chopped spinach, thawed. Use kontomire (cocoyam leaves) if you can find them.
  • ½ cup palm oil, or vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 ripe tomatoes, blended or finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
  • 1 sachet (5 g) Sankofa Stew & Gravy Seasoning
  • 1 sachet (5 g) Sankofa Ginger & Garlic Seasoning
  • Sankofa Pepper Seasoning or 1 scotch bonnet, to taste
  • ½ cup ground egusi (agushi), mixed with ¼ cup water into a paste (optional)
  • 1 small piece salted fish (koobi), soaked, boned and flaked (optional)
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, halved (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. Prepare the greens. Fresh spinach: wash and chop finely. Frozen spinach: squeeze out the water. Kontomire: wash, remove the tough stems, boil for 10 minutes, drain and chop.
  2. Warm the palm oil over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes. Don't let it smoke.
  3. Add the onion (and the koobi, if using) and fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring, until thick and the oil rises to the top.
  5. Stir in the Stew & Gravy, Ginger & Garlic and Pepper seasonings.
  6. If using egusi, drop the paste in by small spoonfuls. Let it set for 3 to 5 minutes without stirring, then break it up gently.
  7. Add the greens, stir well and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until everything comes together. Add salt to taste.
  8. Lay the eggs on top and warm through for 2 minutes.

Serve with boiled yam, plantain or cocoyam, or rice.

Tips

  • Vegan option: leave out the fish and eggs. The Sankofa seasonings are plant-based, and the egusi adds richness.
  • Palm oil turns bitter if it smokes, so keep the heat gentle in step 2.
  • Palm oil is coming soon to our West African Pantry.

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