Cooking a delicious Akwa Ibom delicacy known as Editan Soup// 20th June, 2025.

As Friday, June 20th, drew to a close, I decided to treat my family to a beloved Nigerian dish - Editan soup. This delectable meal, made from the leaves of the Editan plant scientifically know as "Lasianthera Africana", is a staple in southern Nigeria. Not only is it a taste sensation, but it's also renowned for its potential medicinal properties, which have been utilized in traditional folklore to manage various ailments.

My culinary adventure began at the market, where I carefully selected the freshest Editan leaves, water leaves, meat, fish, canda, periwinkle, palm oil, and other essential ingredients. The day had been quite challenging, as my young son, Princewill, had been under the weather since morning. Despite the exhaustion, I persevered, knowing that a warm, nourishing bowl of Editan soup would be the perfect remedy.

To save time, I asked the market vendor to chop the Editan leaves for me while I attended to the other items on my list. Once I arrived home, I set about preparing the ingredients. First, I boiled the chopped Editan leaves, then thoroughly washed them to remove any impurities and bitterness.

Next, I washed and chopped the water leaves, cleaned the periwinkle, steamed the meat and fish, pounded the crayfish, and readied all the other ingredients.

With everything prepared, I combined three cups of water with the ingredients in a large pot, carefully adding each component in the right order. As the soup simmered on the gas cooker, the aroma wafting from the pot was tantalizing.

Finally, the Editan soup was ready! I removed the pot from the heat and began preparing garri to accompany our meal. With the soup and garri scooped into plates, my son Princewill and I sat down to savour the fruits of my labor. The flavours danced on our tongues, a perfect balance of savory, slightly bitter, and utterly delicious.

As we enjoyed our meal together, I watched Princewill's face light up with joy, his earlier illness all but forgotten. In that moment, I knew that this weekend's Editan soup had been more than just a meal - it had been a labour of love, a celebration of family, and a testament to the power of traditional Nigerian cuisine to bring people together.