{{short description|Yam-based staple food from West Africa}}{{Infobox food | name = Pounded yam | image = Pounded yam (Iyàn).jpg | caption = Pounded yam | type = Swallow | place_of_origin = Nigeria | region = Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba. | served = Warm | main_ingredient = *Yam *Water | minor_ingredient = *Salt }}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=May 2026}} thumb|Pounded yam and soup '''Pounded yam''' ({{langx|yo|iyán}}{{Audio|LL-Q34311 (yor)-Bamjos-Iyan.wav|listen}}, {{langx|ha|sakwara}}, {{langx|ig|utara-ji {{Audio|LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Vivian Amalachukwu-utara-ji.wav|Listen|help=no}}}}) is a Nigerian swallow or okele food.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osinkolu |first=Lola |date=2019-06-13 |title=Pounded Yam |url=https://cheflolaskitchen.com/pounded-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Chef Lola's Kitchen |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oyibo |first=Emmanuel |date=2020-04-15 |title=Top 20 Nigerian Foods That Will Blow Your Taste Buds |url=https://www.chefspencil.com/top-20-nigerian-foods/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Chef's Pencil |language=en-US}}</ref> It is commonly prepared by pounding boiled yam with a mortar and pestle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title=How To Make Pounded Yam – Old Fashioned Pounded Yam With Pestle And Mortar |url=https://theonlinecook.com/how-to-make-pounded-yam-old-fashioned-pounded-yam-with-pestle-and-mortar/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=The Online Cook |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Damola |first=Karo-Dare |title=The vanishing pounded yam |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/the-vanishing-pounded-yam/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref> Pounded yam is similar to mashed potatoes but heavier in consistency. It is smooth and eaten with the hands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pounded Yam Recipe |url=https://www.chefspencil.com/recipe/pounded-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Chef's Pencil |language=en-US}}</ref>
It can be served with egusi soup, jute leaves soup (ewedu), stewed spinach (efo riro), okra soup, ofe akwu (palmnut soup), ofe nsala (white soup), and others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Egusi Soup And Pounded Yam Recipes |url=https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/egusi-soup-and-pounded-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Food Network Canada |language=en-CA}}</ref>
== Preparation == [[File:Nigeria yam2.jpg|thumb|A yam market in Lagos, Nigeria]] It is prepared by pounding boiled yam with a mortar and pestle, yam grinder, food processor or mixer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Damola |first=Karo-Dare |title=The vanishing pounded yam |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/the-vanishing-pounded-yam/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanusi |first=Ayobami |date=2024-06-22 |title=No mortar and pestle? Check out 3 simple ways to make pounded yam |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/no-mortar-and-pestle-check-out-3-simple-ways-to-make-pounded-yam/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref> The type of yam used for pounded yam is the African yam also known as puna yam, true yam or white yam.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osinkolu |first=Lola |date=2021-08-27 |title=YAM {{!}} TRUE YAM {{!}} AFRICAN YAM |url=https://cheflolaskitchen.com/true-yam-african-yam/ |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=Chef Lola's Kitchen |language=en-US}}</ref> The texture is rough with brown skin and off-white flesh with its length similar to regular potatoes up to five feet long. African yam is rich in carbohydrates and calories.<ref>{{Citation |title=Paper, board and pulps. Determination of acid-soluble magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, sodium and potassium |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3403/30198875 |publisher=BSI British Standards |doi=10.3403/30198875 |access-date=2022-05-15|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-02 |title=How to make Pounded Yam (Nigerian Swallows Recipe) - African Food Network |url=https://afrifoodnetwork.com/recipes/swallow-recipes/pounded-yam/ |access-date=2026-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Serving== thumb|upright|Egusi soup
thumb|upright|Banga soup
Pounded yam is eaten with okro soup, ẹ̀fọ́ rírò, banga soup (ofe akwu), ogbono, gbẹ̀gìrì soup and Egusi soup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Afrolems |title=Efo Riro and Pounded Yam Recipe - Food.com |url=https://www.food.com/recipe/efo-riro-and-pounded-yam-499527 |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.food.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=10 Most Popular Nigerian Soups |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-soups-in-nigeria |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=www.tasteatlas.com}}</ref>
== Variations == A variation of pounded yam peculiar to Ile-Ife is known as iyan gbere. This version of the dish incorporates the African breadfruit (''Treculia africana'').<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olufunke |date=2021-07-17 |title=Nigeria’s medicinal plants: Artocarpus altilis (Gbere) |url=https://punchng.com/nigerias-medicinal-plants-artocarpus-altilis-gbere/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref> To prepare iyan gbere, the African breadfruit is first cooked until it is soft. It is then pounded or blended to create a smooth, dough-like consistency. This breadfruit paste is combined with the traditional yam paste used in iyan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HISTORY OF IFEWARA – IPOB ONTARIO |url=https://ipobontario.ca/history-of-ifewara/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=AdminTO |date=2017-04-30 |title=Ifewara: Yoruba town where diabetics are rare |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/ifewara-yoruba-town-diabetics-rare/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref> Iyan gbere is served with Nigerian soups such as egusi or okra soup. The addition of the African breadfruit gives the dish a distinct taste and nutritional profile.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-04-27 |title=Ile-Ife, the city of culture |url=https://guardian.ng/features/ile-ife-the-city-of-culture/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2024-04-03 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== * Eba * Fufu * Amala * List of African dishes * Nigerian cuisine * {{portal-inline|Food}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://allnigerianfoods.com/pounded-yam Pounded yam recipe from All Nigerian Foods]
Category:Central African cuisine Category:Yoruba cuisine Category:Igbo cuisine Category:Nigerian cuisine Category:Staple foods Category:Swallows (food) Category:Yam dishes