Food Trip: Pili Nut
This is the first time in my food trip adventures where I would talk about a nut ( well actually it's a fruit). Our spotlight today is focused on our food of the day -the pili nut o simply pili.
Pili |
A pili nut is known for its soft pulpy core, covered by a thin skin which in turn is protected by a hard shell. The fruit is small which usually measures 4-7cm long.
This is how my dad opens a pili nut |
Aim well. It's either the nut or your fingers... |
Pili nut all-you-can |
The pili nut is an important product of the Bicol Region particularly the province of Camarines Sur. It comes from either the Canarium Ovatum or the Canarium Luzonicum species which are both locally called pili trees.
Once you visit the region, you would find how creative the locals get in marketing the pili nuts. The most common preparation is the roasted nut. It is similar to a roasted peanut. The pili nuts could also be pickled or cooked. The most popular is the sugar-coated pili nut. But for me, I prefer to eat it raw.
Bringing home these sugar-coated pili nuts |
Pili nuts are rich in ascorbic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, sodium, thiamine, and zinc. Well, looking at it, it seems like the pili nut is the organic version of our multivitamins.
What are you waiting for? Visit the Bicol Region and taste the rich flavor of the pili nut. (I highly recommend Ortega's Pili Nut in Camalig in the province of Albay. They sell quality cooked and candied pili nuts.
Comments
Post a Comment