There was a time when the Kontomire stew sat proudly in the centre of the table. Sundays after church. Family gatherings. The kind of meal that made you loosen your belt and reach for more boiled yams. Somewhere along the way, we started looking elsewhere for superfoods. Quinoa. Kale. Avocado toast.
But the real heroes have been here all along, growing in our own soil.
Kontomire. Cabbage. The leafy stews our mothers and grandmothers stirred for hours. It turns out they were not just feeding us. They were fortifying us. Here is why these greens deserve to move from the sidelines back to the spotlight.
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They Clean House from the Inside
Kontomire, or cocoyam leaves, does something quiet but powerful. It moves things along. The fibre content is serious. Not the harsh, scraping kind of fibre, but the gentle sweep that keeps your digestion regular and your belly flat. Cabbage brings the same energy. Together, they act like a broom for your insides, sweeping out what should not be lingering. No bloating. No heaviness. Just the kind of clean that makes you feel lighter without trying.
They Pack Iron Without the Guilt
Women know the struggle. Low energy. Dizziness. That feeling of dragging yourself through the day. Usually, it is iron. And usually, we reach for the red meat or the supplements. But Kontomire is dripping with iron. The kind your body actually recognises and absorbs. Pair it with something like fish or eggs, and you have a meal that builds your blood while filling your belly. No heavy feeling. No guilt. Just steady energy that lasts.
They Keep the Doctor Away, Quietly
Cabbage has a reputation for being humble. It does not shout. But inside that quiet leaf is a compound called sulforaphane. Fancy name. Simple job. It helps your body fight inflammation and protects your cells from damage. Kontomire brings its own medicine too, packed with vitamins A and C that keep your skin clear and your immune system alert. These are not just foods. They are small daily protections against the things that try to break us down.
Conclusion
We do not need to import our health from anywhere else. The answers are in our markets. In the leaves our grandmothers knew by heart. Kontomire stew with boiled plantain. Cabbage stew with a side of fried ripe plantain. These are not just meals. They are medicine wrapped in flavour. Time to bring them back to the table.