Ponmo
Africa — Nigeria
Nigeria's most commercially important cattle by-product. Beef skin singed, scraped, boiled, and added to soups and stews for texture. Consumed across all social classes.
Cuts in this tradition
Cultural context
Functions almost as its own food category. Demand is strong enough that ponmo is traded as an independent commodity. Valued for chewy texture and collagen rather than flavor.
Preparation
Skin singed over flame, scraped clean, boiled until soft. Added to pepper soup, stews, and rice dishes. Texture ranges from firm to soft depending on cooking time.