Akotonshi refers to the traditional Ghanaian stuffed crabs

Akotonshi (Ghanaian Stuffed Crabs)

Ingredients

1 tsp salt
3cm fresh ginger
6 cloves
4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, minced
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tbsp tomato puree
2 bell peppers, finely chopped
2 generous pinches of paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp dried shrimp
100g whole-wheat breadcrumbs
1 hard -boiled egg, chopped
1 spring parsley
1kg crab meat

If using fresh crabs clean and dress them then place the crab meat in boiling salted water along with the ginger and cloves. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the meat is just tender enough to flake with a fork. Drain, flake to break up the meat, then set aside.

Add the oil to a heavy pot and place on moderate heat. Add the onions and cook for a minute then add the ground ginger and tomatoes and cook for a further minute. Now add the tomato puree and bell peppers, paprika, cayenne pepper and dried shrimp. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are all cooked. Add the crab meat and stir for a further 2 minutes to ensure that the meat has cooked through.

Spoon the mixture into cleaned crab shells or ramekins and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of each crab then toast under a grill, being careful not to allow the crumbs to scorch.

Garnish with egg and parsley then serve.