Glossary S
Samoosas refer to little triangles of pastry filled with spicy meat or vegetables, one of South Africa's dishes.
Suya refer to West African shish kebabs, roasted skewered meat or meat on sticks, but with a particularly African twist - the use of a peanut-spice rub. It is believed that Suya originated with the Hausa people and nowadays, they are popular all over Nigeria. In big cities and small towns, the Suya vendors at their pits or grills are at the center of the action, and they are busy from mid-morning until late at night cooking or grilling Suya.
Suya are usually made with beef, sometimes chicken or veal or liver and beef on sticks. They can be made with just meat, ground peanuts, and cayenne pepper, but more elaborate spice mixtures are also used. Any other spices or spice mixtures can also be added if desired.
Suya is pronounced as "sooya"
Shea Butter refers to a fat is extracted from the nut of the shea tree of West Africa. The smooth-skinned nut is about the size of a walnut, and surrounded by a yellow or greenish-black pulp. Shea Butter is used to make margarine and chocolate. According to local lore the walls of the ancient Hausa city of Surame were built of mud mixed with Shea butter. The story goes that Kanta, the Fulani leader, ordered all the conquered Hausa cities to come and help build the walls of Surame. Bida, Kano, Zaria, Ilorin, Bornu and Gwanja all arrived on time. However the people of Nupe were late, and as a punishment Kanta ordered that the mud for their portion of the wall be mixed with shea butter to make it extra hard.