Unique Delicacies From the Philippines

Many articles have been written about Filipino dishes, like adobo, mechado, pakbet, lechon and many delectable dishes, but very few are written about the unique Filipino delicacies cooked in some parts of the country.  Here are 5 of them:

Fried Frog

1. Select the field frogs (be sure it is not the bull frog) that are not too small.
2. Skin and remove the intestines.
3. Wash properly.
4. Coat with egg and flour.
5.  Deep fry until golden brown. 

When cooked, it tastes like fried chicken.  Catsup can be made use of as gravy.  You can add chili to spice up the flavor.

Frog in Tamarind

When you want some broth, you can cook it also with some vegetables (like papaya) in tamarind.

1. Do steps 1-3 of the fried frog procedure.
2. Boil 2-3 cups water with the tamarind fruit.
3. Take out the tamarind and extract the cooked fruit juice.
4. Mix with the water until you achieve the desired sourness.
5. Add the frogs and cook till tender.
6. Add the papaya, (which is sliced into small cubes.)
7. Add salt to taste.
8. This should be eaten hot to enjoy the savory broth.

Ant Eggs Delicacy 

(These are the big ants that grow on trees.)

1. Clean your ant harvest of dirt and leaves
2. Boil water.
3. Add ants and cook until desired consistency
4. Add leafy vegetables, if so desired.
5. Add salt to taste.

Monkey Delicacy

Monkey Broth

1.  Cut the meat into regular thin cubes
2. Mix in salt to preserve
3. Expose to sun until sun dried
4. Boil water.
5. Add the meat cubes and boil until tender.
6. Add vegetables like camote tops or potatoes.
7. Add salt to taste.

Fried Monkey Cubes

1. Just like the frog meat, cut it into small cubes.
2. Soak it in soy sauce and lemon.
3. After an hour, deep fry until tender.
4. Gravy maybe plain catsup or tomato sauce in sprite.

Fried Cicadas

The steps are the same as the monkey cubes.

Fresh Shrimp in Vinegar

1. Wash thoroughly freshly caught shrimps.
2. Prepare a half bowl of vinegar.
3. Mix some pepper, salt and garlic with the vinegar.
4. Soak the shrimp in this concoction.
5. Eat while still fresh.

This is usually made use of as “pulutan” or a side dish when drinking wine.

These dishes are savory and delicious. You’ve got to taste them to believe it!