How to Cook A Delicious Nigerian Jollof Without Tomatoes

How can a lover of jollof rice, now cope with cooking it without using an infected tomato?

Tomatoes are among some of the essential recipes of cooking a meal. But in Nigeria, the purchasing price of it heavily surges, leaving those who often patronize it dig deeper into their pockets. The Kano State chairman of Tomato Out Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), Sani Danladi, says the major cause of the surge was due to tuta absoluta which, is a species of moth in the family of Gelechiidae, also known as ‘Tomato Ebola’.

Tomato Ebola is a serious pest of tomato crops in Europe and South America. In 2016, Nigeria witnessed its first-time outbreak, leading to scarcity throughout the country.

But that was not its traceable first-time appearance. Tomato Ebola was first discovered in Eastern Spain in 2006. Since then, it has invaded other parts of the world. Its outbreak in Africa was first reported in Niger and Senegal, before it attacked Nigeria’s tomatoes in April 2015, in Daura, Katsina State. Two months later, it attacked Kano State and later attacked Abeokuta, Ogun State, in September of the same year before it spread wings across the country.

What is intriguing, is the fact that this tomato, which appears to be a primary host of the pest in 2015-2016-2024, is also dear to a typical Nigerian, especially when Nigerians want to make their iconic and world-best Jollof Rice.

Nigerian Jollof rice is a popular meal in West Africa and it stands out as a unique national dish in the country’s diverse culinary scenes. It is praised for its flavourful blend of spices and rich, complex condiments that constantly make it delectable.

Traditionally, one of the prioritized recipes often used to cook are tomatoes, but currently Tomatoes in the country are under a serious threat, leading to a severe menace on our dear jollof rice. How can a lover of jollof rice, now cope with cooking it without using an infected tomato? Here comes Unconventional Magazine, providing many ways to do that without hassles. And before we dive into the recipe, it is essential to understand the basics of Nigerian Jollof Rice which is the best in Africa, though having its rank currently contestable among other African countries.

Jollof Rice is a one-pot dish made with rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat or fish.

The dish’s aromatic broth and the way the rice takes on the flavours of the other ingredients are what make it so good. The secret to a delicious bowl of Jollof rice is to strike a balance between the dish’s flavours and textures.

Vegetables play a crucial role in Jollof Rice, providing flavour, texture, and nutrients to the dish. In traditional Jollof Rice recipes, tomatoes are the primary vegetable used.

However, for those who want to make Jollof Rice without tomatoes, there are other vegetables that can be used to achieve the same flavour and texture.

Now that we have covered the basics of Jollof Rice, let us move on to the art of cooking Jollof Rice without tomatoes.

The key to making a great Jollof Rice without tomatoes is to use a combination of vegetables and spices to achieve the desired flavour and texture. Here are some options:

1. Red Pepper Mix:

This is a common substitute for tomato paste. It adds a rich, red colour and a slightly sweet flavour. We can use fresh or dried red peppers, depending on our preference.

2. Carrots:

These can be used to add a pop of colour which is supposed to be done by tomato and it can give our Jellof rice sweet flavor. We can use 3 or 9 carrots, depending on how strong we want the carrot flavor to be.

3. Sweet Peppers:

These can be used to add a sweet and slightly smoky flavour. We can use fresh paprika or tatashe, or even red bell peppers if we don’t have the other options.

4. Onions: