So here are some popular Ilokano foods to look out for, and try at least once. You might even like them.
1. Pinakbet- A cooked vegetable medley with strong flavors. The bitterness really comes out in the Bittermelon as well as the eggplants, peppers, okra, tomatoes and beans. All that accented with ginger and bagoong. The overall dish is cooked until slightly dry. A must try for those who love vegetables.
2. Dinengdeng- Similiar in ingredients to Pinakbet, except soupy. I personally love this when mixed with rice.
3. Pinapaitan- A dish that has some variation, but is guaranteed to have the intestines of some animal. Similiar to Mexican menudo. Often cooked with bile, which is wonderful at adding flavor as well as tenderizing the meat. One of my personal favorites.
4. Tinubong- A desert made from coconut, bamboo, and rice. Cooked inside bamboo stalks this is a great snack. A true specialty of Ilocos.
Future posts will contain more foods, as well as recipes. Not to mention the all important words and phrases needed to order such food.
Until next time. Ditakayon.
