Omena Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
It is often identified with its silvery nature. Omena usually has a bitter taste especially when you don’t cook them properly. Make sure you wash or soak your Omena in hot water for at least 5 minutes, to remove any dirt residue.
Boil your Sun Dried Omena (this helps remove the bitter taste). Drain the water and put the omena in low heat. Add enough cooking oil to deep fry the omena until it turns golden brown.
Omena is a great source of protein, omega-fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, and other nutrients. Omena is also low in mercury, making it a safe choice for pregnant women and children. Some of the key nutrients that omena provides include protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins A and D, and selenium.
Silver cyprinid
The silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea) also known as the Lake Victoria sardine, mukene, and omena (native language), is a species of pelagic, freshwater ray-finned fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae from East Africa.
Omena (omena in, Luo, dagaa in Swahili, mukene in Luganda) is a small silvery sardine-like fish that affords the same nutritious advantages. Some people eat them with tea in the morning, and others have them with Ugali and Sukuma Wiki (collard greens) for lunch or dinner.
Omena is very rich in proteins that are essential for the building and repair of body tissues. The proteins found in omena are also good and very important for pregnant ladies and children. 7. Contains polyunsaturated oils and acids such as omega 3 fatty acids which are good for maintaining a healthy heart and brain.
Lake Victoria
Also known as the Lake Victoria sardine, in Kenya it is called omena and is widespread throughout the basin of Africa’s largest lake, both on its Kenyan shores and in Uganda and Tanzania.
The health benefits of omena are numerous and diverse. The nutrients in silverfish are very useful which is why it is recommended for people who need high nutrients levels including children and pregnant women.
Though some customers prefer storing them in fridge, still is okay as well but placing it an open container is the best. ~Rarely sun dried omena go bad unless it absorbs water (ishike baridi) and becomes soggy or turns red if over stays.
Steps
- Add oil in a sufuria and heat.
- Add chopped onions and fry until golden brown.
- Add sliced tomatoes, garlic and salt then cover.
- Allow to cook until it forms a paste.
- Add water and then boil.
- After it had boiled, add the omena and the cover to cook under medium heart…
- After is cooked, serve with ugali.
These two can last for months if well stored. Just ensure you place them in a dry place, occasionally can sun dry them to keep off insects and moisture. ~After receiving your order ensure you remove the omena or your sun dried from the packet.
It is often identified with its silvery nature. Omena usually has a bitter taste especially when you don’t cook them properly. Make sure you wash or soak your Omena in hot water for at least 5 minutes, to remove any dirt residue.
Omena is a great source of iron and zinc. Iron boosts the immune system and helps in the formation of red blood cells that prevents one from getting anaemia.
This is dried omena from the supermarket. First step is to add it in boiling water and let it boil for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for two reasons; first it lowers the salt levels so they are not overly salty (the salt is used to preserve them) and secondly it gets rid of the sand particles.
They are also a robust and excellent source of calcium which is found in the bones. The fact that omen is consumed whole means that people get all the calcium in the fish. Nutritionists indicate that omena can supply up to 170% of the daily intake requirement of calcium for the human body.
Did you know that Omena contains fats, carbs and dietary fibers to kick off constipation and make relieving your bowels quiet easy.
Contains acids such as omega 3 fatty acids which are good for maintaining a healthy heart and brain. This component makes omena a very good food for pregnant women and children.
Steps
- Wash the omena with warm water.
- Add 1/2 cup water in the omena and steam until soft.
- Chop the tomatoes, onions, garlic, hoho and Dania separately.
- Add them to the omena and cover to cook for 10 mins.
- Stir the mixture well then add cooking oil and salt.
- Cook again for 5 mins and serve with Ugali.
Omena is a great source of protein, omega-fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, and other nutrients. Omena is also low in mercury, making it a safe choice for pregnant women and children. Some of the key nutrients that omena provides include protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins A and D, and selenium.
Here are some other helpful nutritional guidelines:
The recommended daily amount is 1,600 mg: that means 2-4 servings of milk products per day. Good sources of calcium are dairy products including yoghurt, milk, and cheese, broccoli, oranges, sardines (omena), tofu and dark leafy greens such as kales (Sukuma wiki).