What it is
A soft pale swallow made by cooking oat flour or blended oats into a stiff paste. It is looser than eba and slightly sticky, and is usually made in small quantities for one person.
Key ingredients
- Oat flour or blended oats
- Water
A list of what goes in, not a recipe. Quantities and method vary by household.
How it is eaten
Moulded on the plate and dipped into vegetable, egusi or okro soup, usually in a smaller portion than other swallows.
Cultural significance
Oat swallow is a recent city invention, driven by Nigerians who want to keep eating soup with a swallow while cutting starch, and it circulates mainly through health blogs, dietitians and social media rather than tradition. It is generally cooked at home rather than sold, and is not a restaurant or ceremonial dish.
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