Have you been to Philippines? If you haven’t, then, you should. Why? One of the many reasons is because of the mouthwatering Filipino desserts they have. We kid you not. All of them are so flavorful and unique too. Before we start, just a little bit of a history elaboration. Filipino cuisine is a blend of Asian and Spanish flavours. Commonly, it is sour or sweet and sometimes a mix of both. Tripfez will present you 12 Halal Filipino Desserts you need to know about. Are you ready to salivate? Let’s go!
#1 Gulaman
Also known as “Agar”, this is a type of dried seaweed used to prepare gelatin and jellies. Normally, the seaweed will be dehydrated. After that, it will be broken up and boiled in water to form jellies. The Filipinos often include a layer of fruit cocktail, a milky layer of evaporated milk, as well as an additional fruity coating at the top.
#2 Buko Salad
This is Filipino’s version of fruit salad. “Buko” or young coconut is mixed with a canned of fruit cocktail, heavy cream, and condensed milk. Then it will be chilled before served. Sometimes, as an extra taste, the Pinoy also love to add on fresh fruits such as apples or grapes for more texture. Buko salad is perfect to be indulged in a humid country like the Philippines! So rejuvenating.
#3 Palitaw
This is a flat rice cake and it is sweet. They are prepared by using only five main ingredients which are rice flour, sesame seeds, coconut, water and sugar. The name is extracted from the process itself which is called “Litaw”. It means to float. Once it is floating, it indicates that it is cooked and ready to be served. The home-ground sticky rice will be added water and rolled until a mochi-like consistency is created. Then, they will be dropped into boiling water until they float. Once done, they will be scooped out and dipped with grated coconut, sugar, and sesame seed.
#4 Ube Halaya
This is a sweet purple yam, native to the Philippines. This is a traditional dessert and to make it; superbly simple. All you need to do is boil the “ube” (yam), grate it, and then it will be mixed with milk and sugar. You need to achieve a thick consistency. It can be consumed with a spoon or sometimes the cook will prepare it in small chewy bite-sized pieces.
#5 Puto and Kutsinta
These small-sized treats are made from rice flour and they are steamed. As desserts, Both “Puto and “Kutsinta” are normally served together along with melted butter or grated coconut.
#6 Amik
Amik is prepared using fine ground rice and brown sugar. Then, it is poured into a coconut shell strainer. After that, it will be dripped in circles onto superbly hot cooking oil. This is one of the desserts which is famous among the Muslim Filipinos in the Philippines. Some of the other Muslim groups call this dessert as “Tinagtag”.
#7 Daral
Daral is a very simple yet appetizing dessert. It is made out of “buko” (young coconut strips) and cooked with sugar. After that, it will be covered or wrapped and turned into spring rolls or the Pinoys call it as “lumpia.”
#8 Jampok
Jampok, is mashed banana wrapped in flour and coated with sugar. Before it is fried in hot cooking oil, it will first be shaped into circles. Filipinos love to have their Jampok with a hot drink like coffee or tea.
#9 Leche Flan
Leche flan can be said as one of the most famous desserts in the Philippines. Due to the influence of the Spanish, leche Flan was born decades ago. It is pretty much enthused by the European’s crème caramel as well. What’s the difference between the crème caramel and leche flan? Usually, the Filipinos use sweetened condensed milk to replace the regular milk. Therefore, it will be a little bit sweeter. Also, the creamy egg custard is often served with a light caramel syrup at the top. Read More: 7 halal fast food in the Philippines.
#10 Maruya
This is the Filipinos’ version of the common Asian’s dessert, the banana fritters. The Saba bananas are sliced and they are dipped in a thin, pancake-like batter. After that, they will be fried. The Pinoy loves everything sweet, thus, after frying, they will add some sugar to sweeten the Maruya. Sometimes, they will replace the bananas with corn, coconut or even sweet potato.
#11 Turon
This is the usual street food which can easily be found around the country. It is made out of jackfruit, Saba bananas, and brown sugar and then it will be wrapped in a spring roll wrapper before being fried. Once the roll is fully cooked, the sugar will melt and seeps out. Sometimes, the Pinoys also serve “turon” with ice cream. It is a beauty between cold and hot.
#12 Ginataan
This is a pudding-like dessert served warm. The base is normally made out of rice flour, coconut milk, and then they will add some customized ingredients like corns and beans. The most famous version is called “Bilo-Bilo.” It derives from the word “bilog” that means round. It contains chewy rice balls and mixed with plantains or bananas, “ube”, sweet potato, jackfruit, coconut milk and tapioca pearls. This dessert is really one of a kind and it is gluten-free and vegan too.
There you have it, 12 Halal Filipino desserts you need to know about. As you can see with all the ingredients used, all of the above desserts are Halal. Thus, you can always try them out without a doubt. You can even opt to try and do it at home to do a little bit of an experiment. Whatever it is, we hope you enjoy this piece and don’t forget to check these Filipino desserts out in the street of Philippines for a more authentic experience!