delicacies in ilocos norte

Delicacies in Ilocos Norte

"PINAKBET"

Pinakbet is a tasty vegetable dish made-up of different fresh vegetables, pork, and shrimp paste. This Pinakbet Recipe is a variation of the popular Tagalog version of this dish, Pakbet Ilokano, that originated from the Ilocos Region.

This Pinakbet recipe is comprised of different vegetables such as eggplant (talong), squash (kalabasa), sting beans (sitaw), ampalaya (bitter melon), okra, and others.

"PUTO"

Buttered Puto is a variation of the famous steamed rice cake, Puto. This steamed mini cakes are usually eaten as dessert but most prefer to have them duringbreakfast(with hot coffee or chocolate) or mid-afternoon snack (usually eaten with dinuguan or blood stew).

This Puto variation uses ordinary flour instead of rice flour (not even galapong) and is so easy prepare. The ingredients used in this recipe are so common that you could find them in any grocery store (you just need to have the molds and steamer to get everything done).

"MAJA BLANCA"

Maja Blanca is a Filipino dessert made from coconut milk, cornstarch, and sugar. Often called Coconut Pudding, this luscious dessert is easy to make and the ingredients are very common.Unknown to many, the original Maja Blanca Recipe does not include corn and milk. In thisrecipe, I added whole sweet kernel corn and condensed milk for added taste and a more creamy texture.Since Christmas season is just around the corner, this would make a very good holiday dessert especially during potluck Christmas Parties and Noche Buena as well.

Preparing maja blanca is easy. All you need to do is follow each step indicated in this maja blanca recipe. It is important that you give the coconut milk sometime to cook; it is also recommended that you try your best to mix all the ingredients until the texture becomes as smooth at it can be. For better results, cook the corn a little longer to release its flavor.

"EMPANADA"

An empanada (Spanish) or empada (Portuguese, also called pastel in Brazilian Portuguese) is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries in Southern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Southeast Asia. The name comes from the Galician, Portuguese and Spanish verbempanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread.

Empanadas are made by folding dough or bread around stuffing, which usually consists of a variety of meat, cheese, huitlacoche, vegetables or fruits, among others.

"Bu-os (Ant Eggs)"

Buos also called Abuos/Abuus refers to one of Ilocano's exotic delicacies. Buos refer to "Ants Eggs".   These pale white colored "Ants eggs" are the eggs of large species of winged ants / fire ants that are collected or harvested from their nests which are hidden in the mountains and forests areas of Ilocos durung summer months.    Buos is generally prepared with very few ingredients so its original delicate and slightly sour taste is highlighted.    Buos are often sautéed in tomatoes and with just a pinch of salt or just wrapped in banana leaves then steamed or boiled with little amount of water.     Cooked Buos is generally served with rice or taken as food for community drinking called Pulutan.

Buos is a seasonal delicacy which can be collected or harvested all over the province of Ilocos. It is considered as an aphrodisiac.

In Ilocos provinces, full-grown ants are also sold and prepared in the same manner as Buos.

Ilocos Region is located in the Northern part of the Philippines.

"BISCOCHO"

Biscocho in Spanish means biscuits and in the Philippines, it’s typically day old bread that is toasted, buttered or daubed with margarine and then sugared. It is eaten as a snack paired with either hot coffee or milo and is available in many bakeries or groceries around.In the town of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, the biscocho comes in three forms: the traditional hard biscuit made from the outer part of the bread, a soft version of the former and the inner core which is called bugas, soft and tasty. Of the three, the soft ones are quite popular that the Pasuquin Bakery has become a sort of landmark in this province with several visitors and travelers stopping to buy their products.