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Oto (Mashed Yams with Red Onions) from Ghana
5 from 2 votes

Oto (Mashed Yams with Red Onions) from Ghana

This celebratory dish is important in many Ghanaian homes, especially to celebrate weddings and coming-of-age ceremonies. Made by mashing yams with palm oil and onions, you can easily make this dish for a taste of Ghana at home.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 725 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Main Course

Ingredients

  • 3 yams peeled and cubed
  • ¼ cup Red Palm Oil
  • 1 red onion finely diced
  • 1 shrimp bouillon cube I substituted chicken as I couldn’t find shrimp
  • salt sea salt, to taste
  • 2-3 egg hard boiled

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 3 peeled and cubed yams and boil until fork tender. Strain the water out of the pot. Then place the yams in a large bowl, and mash.
  2. In the meantime, heat ¼ cup red palm oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 1 diced red onion to the oil and allow the onions to caramelize. Once caramelized, add 1 shrimp bouillon cube and continue stirring until fully dissolved.
  3. Add oil and onion mixture to the mashed yams. Mix to combine until the yam turns a bright yellow color. Season with sea salt to taste.
  4. Peel the 2-3 hard boiled eggs and place the entire eggs on top of the pot of yams. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Recipe copyright The Foreign Fork. For educational or personal use only. 
  •  
  • If you can get ahold of Ghanaian yams, that would be your best option. The second best option is a smaller yam (aka white sweet potatoes), more commonly found in American grocery stores. As a last result, you can use sweet potatoes! 
  • Shrimp bouillon is most common for Oto, but you can also use chicken instead if necessary
  • Use red palm oil for this recipe. I like
  • Nutiva’s Palm Oil
  • because it is fair trade and ethically sourced. In a pinch you can sub coconut oil instead.
  • Generally you can make one egg per person eating
  • If you want to season the oil before frying, you can briefly fry a bay leaf to give the oil some flavor
  • Sometimes this recipe is shown as made with plantains instead of yams. Both are valid! 
  • This dish is sometimes served with roasted peanuts and avocado slices to make it a well-rounded and filling meal. 
  • Red Palm Oil has a very low smoking point (302 degrees Fahrenheit), so you don’t need to turn the heat up high on the stove when cooking the onions. A medium heat should do the trick.
  • Yams: If you can get ahold of Ghanaian yams, that would be your best option. The second best option is a smaller yam (aka white sweet potatoes), more commonly found in American grocery stores. As a last result, you can use sweet potatoes! 
  • Bouillon Cubes: Shrimp bouillon is most common for Oto, but you can also use chicken instead if necessary
  • Oil: Use red palm oil for this recipe. I like Nutiva’s Palm Oil because it is fair trade and ethically sourced. In a pinch you can sub coconut oil instead.
  • Generally you can make one egg per person eating
  • If you want to season the oil before frying, you can briefly fry a bay leaf to give the oil some flavor
  • Sometimes this recipe is shown as made with plantains instead of yams. Both are valid! 
  • This dish is sometimes served with roasted peanuts and avocado slices to make it a well-rounded and filling meal. 
  • Red Palm Oil has a very low smoking point (302 degrees Fahrenheit), so you don’t need to turn the heat up high on the stove when cooking the onions. A medium heat should do the trick.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 725kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 121g (40%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g (18%) Monounsaturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 125mg (42%) Sodium 399mg (17%) Potassium 3527mg (75%) Fiber 18g (72%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 754IU (15%) Vitamin C 75mg (83%) Calcium 99mg (10%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 725

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 725kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 121g 40%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 399mg 17%
Potassium 3527mg 75%
Fiber 18g 72%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 754IU 15%
Vitamin C 75mg 83%
Calcium 99mg 10%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.