Nigeria, Yoruba cuisine; Shawa is smoked dried herring or sardine, wild caught in the waters of the Atlantic in West Africa and more commonly used in Nigeria and other West African countries. It is available in the US and European countries. It is rich in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids and can be used in place of meat or poultry in stews or Efo riro, Egusi or Okro, Okra soups. It is high in calcium and Vitamin D. Freezing after cleaning improves the softness of the fish but makes it crumble easily in cuisines.