In brief
- Boli: ripe plantain grilled over charcoal, Nigerian street food
- Origin: Nigeria, particularly Lagos and Ibadan
- Essential ingredients: ripe plantain, peanut sauce or grilled fish, fresh chilli
- Setting: street snack, a light meal, an after-class snack
Origins and cultural history of Boli
Boli is one of the most famous street snacks of Nigeria. Literally grilled plantain in Yoruba, it is sold on every street corner from Lagos to Ibadan, cooked over simple charcoal braziers. The plantain, a fleshy and sweet fruit when ripe, becomes after grilling a dish that is caramelised on the outside and melting on the inside. Served with a spicy peanut sauce or grilled fish, it makes a complete meal for a few naira.
For the Nigerian diaspora and the West African community in France, Belgium and Switzerland, boli evokes the afternoons of youth, the vendors on bicycles and reunions with friends after class. Its preparation takes 25 minutes and remains accessible even without a barbecue, thanks to the oven.
What are the essential ingredients of Boli
Authentic boli requires few ingredients but an impeccable quality of plantain. African and Caribbean online grocery stores, including NKOSI, regularly offer ripe plantains and suitable accompaniments in France and Europe.
- Very ripe plantains: black spotted skin, sweet flesh
- Dakatine peanut paste: the base of the traditional sauce
- Habanero or scotch bonnet pepper: the spicy touch
- Red onion: tangy raw vegetable
- Fresh tomatoes: the base of the sauce
- Stock cube, salt, pepper: seasoning
- Vegetable oil: helps the caramelisation
Nutritional benefits of Boli
The ripe plantain is a rich and balanced food. It provides potassium, vitamin A and C, and carbohydrates with a moderate glycaemic index. The peanut adds plant proteins, magnesium and good fats. Naturally gluten-free, boli is suitable for people intolerant to gluten and makes a healthy snack.
At around 220 kcal per serving, boli is a very nourishing snack for children, athletes and diabetics (the plantain has a lower glycaemic index than the yellow banana).
Frequently asked questions about Boli
Can boli be prepared in advance?
Boli is ideally enjoyed hot. You can make the peanut sauce the day before (keeps 3 days in the fridge) but grill the plantains just before serving to keep the caramelised texture.
How can boli be adapted for children or made vegetarian?
Boli is naturally vegetarian. For children, leave the chilli out of the sauce and serve it separately. You can add a little honey or cinnamon to the peanut sauce to soften the taste.
Where can I find ripe plantains and peanut paste in France?
The online grocery NKOSI offers Dakatine peanut paste and Afro-Caribbean ingredients delivered in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Ripe plantains are found in all neighbourhood exotic grocery stores. See nkosiagro.com.
Find them in the NKOSI shop
- Garlic Plantain Chips N°1 - West African Chips - 85g
- Caramel Peanuts NUMBER ONE - Snack
- Banana Jam M'AMOUR - Jam
And for more flavours, browse our NKOSI catalogue — African and Caribbean grocery online.
