Filipino Food: Eggs in Philippine Cuisine
Yema is the Spanish word for “egg yolk.” This soft Philippine candy is shaped into a pyramid or a ball, and then wrapped in cellophane. It originated from Spain, where nuns in monasteries used egg yolks donated to them by winemakers (who used only the white part of eggs in their winemaking process) to make sweets and pastries.
The term is from the Mexican Spanish phrase huevo estrellado, which means “star-shaped egg” and refers to a fried egg that could be sunny side up, over easy, or even scrambled.
Itlog ng Hantik (Ants’ Eggs). Photos by @OkayMaine. Also known as Itlog ti Abuos in Ilocano cuisine.
Hantik or Antik are weaver ants known for their stinging bites. Their eggs (itlog) are considered a delicacy in the Philippines and are very hard to come by.
Egg Cracklets. Photo by Mildred Cruz.
Featured photo of Ginisang Ampalaya by Mayette Garcia
Ampalaya is the Tagalog word for “bitter gourd” or “bitter melon.” Ginisa means “sautéed.” Here is a simple recipe for sautéed bitter gourd in Philippine cuisine.
Ensalada and Salted Egg by Eva Argenos… Hilaw na mangga, itlog na maalat, sibuyas, kamatis, talong, okra, sitaw, kangkong, bagoong… Unripe mangoes, salted eggs, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, okra, string beans, swamp greens, fermented seafood paste…
