The appeal of gizdodo — a peppery combo of chewy gizzard and soft, sweet dodo, or ripe plantain — is the back-and-forth between textures and flavors. A problem, I've noted before, is that while sharing with friends you can get stuck holding a container that's all giz and no dodo. Fortunately, this serving, by Mariam's Kitchen, was weighty and well-supplied with both.
Previously: giant black land snails; asaro, or yam porridge; spinach stew; puff-puffs, cinnamon-and-nutmeg-scented balls of fried dough that the vendor likened to zeppole. Note, too, the evolution of Nigerian mobile food in New York (photos at bottom). The 2009 festival was attended by a food truck that had been jerry-rigged for the day's festivities; at the 2015 event, a gaily decorated, purpose-built vehicle held court just across the avenue. It returned for the 2019 festival, and also keeps regular hours nearby.
Nigerian Independence Day Festival
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, East 47th St. between First and Second Aves., Manhattan
www.OANweb.org/all-events
(The 2019 festival was held on October 5)
