The battle of African and Western dishes is as diverse as the various dishes themselves. The world of African food and that of the West are two very different worlds even though they share some similarities. Each presents a unique range of traditions, flavors, ingredients, and colors. Most people choose between the two based on their tastes, culture, and personal experiences.
In this write-up, I seek to discuss the reason why I prefer African or local dishes over Western or foreign dishes.
I grew up in a traditional African home where local dishes were the norm for the day. I ate various kinds of local foods growing up. I didn't live in the village, but I ate most foods that are eaten in the village.
Even though I grew up eating mostly local foods, I've tried a couple of Western delicacies and these are which I base my argument on.
First of all, let's consider the health benefits of these various dishes. Most local dishes are made with natural ingredients. Ranging from different leaves to vegetables. Even the spices used are obtained from nature.
These ingredients are not processed in any other way and its method of cooking is such that, most of the nutrients found in the vegetable or leaf are retained. Hence consuming them makes one stronger and healthier. In a country where our medical systems cannot really be trusted, I'd choose "kontomire" with "apem" and pear any day.
Also considering the taste of these foods, I'd choose our local food over Western ones because indigenous foods are delicious.
Don't get me wrong, Western foods are tasty as well but I like my food spicy and flavoured and as compared to the Western foods, African dishes provide just that. These foods are also very colorful and attractive.
Again, local foods are very very satiated. They can take you through a long period of work. If you take something like fufu around 11am, if you're not a heavy eater, it can take you through till the evening.
The choice between African and Western dishes all in all boils down to the taste and preference one has.