The Edible Landmarks of ILOCOS NORTE

Goby fish or talimusak in tagalog and locally known as the “bukto”,are fresh water forms of fish which are abundant in Bacarra because that place is neary riverside area .Bukto cooked in a variety of ways but according to lola menciang,a residence from this municipalty for more than 80 years the best way to cooked bukto is to steam together with the ingredientslike ilocos vinegar,ginger,salt, and garlic and she said that it should be medium dry as it cook to  preserve it’s taste and as we expected it was really good in taste .

Ginataang Gabi This dish was cooked out of experimentation. It was believed that there was a man who lives in the mountain. One time, he didn’t get any animal to serve as his food. So what he did as he spotted this plant near his house, he cooked it and combined with coconut. And he was then glad as he tasted it because it was delicious. It taste so creamy and until such time that some people also discovered that shrimps are good to combine with this dish. This gathered information was taken when we interviewed the private secretary of the mayor, she was Mrs. Glenda Doquez -Echave and Layson

According to municipal nutritionist of Bangui Mrs. Elizabeth Saguiguit and municipal social worker and development officer Mrs. Rhealou De la Cruz, Bangui is known for large production of garlic since the elders learned to plant different crops. Garlic is known for its natural aroma that gives aromatic flavor to dishes and known for its ability to reduce high blood pressure. According to the elders since they have much garlic production and they learned how to make preserved young garlic by adding vinegar which they called this product as inartem.This preserved garlic is used for accompaniment of fatty dishes to reduce high cholesterol and so that you are not easily get sick to the fatty dishes. Although this is not much as popular to other product of different towns,but if you asked to people of Bangui,this product is the oldest and common accompaniment of fatty dishes like sinigang na baboy. And if you like spicy dishes, this product is suited for your mild, spicy...

THE UNEXPECTED : SWEET SINGKAMAS AND SWEET KUNDOL My partner and I went to Dingras, Ilocos Norte with barely anything. We went there not knowing what will happen to us. When we arrived at their municipal hall, we thought that their main food products were dishes made with carabeef because there are two carabao statues in front of their municipal hall. That was misleading! Then, we went in to inquire for the “real” food product, we asked then we heard the strangest and alienest answer… SWEET SINGKAMAS AND SWEET KUNDOL. Then we asked directions on how to get to the local producer of these said products, anyway it was just a few blocks away from the hall. We went there and bought one pack of Sweet Singkamas and one pack of Sweet Kundol of 25 pesos each pack. Sweet Singkamas refers to candied turnips and Sweet Kundol refers to candied wintermelons. Sweet Singkamas is golden brown in color, tender and sweet. They have the same flavor as of that Sweet Kundol but what makes...

BIBINGKA Bibingka, otherwise known as tubong cake is one of the well-known products of Vintar. It is traditionally made with rice flour. It is the main ingredient because rice is cheap and it is widely available in Vintar. It is also full of carbohydrates. Other ingredients are sweetened mollasses (or tagapulot in local dialect), coconut milk, and margarine, topped with grated cheese. Bibingka is usually served in a trimmed banana leaves but people nowadays also served it using a foil. the traditional preparation is very time-consuming because there is no use of electrical machines. It is cooked using pre-heated coals. Bibingka is best served hot. It has a soft spongy texture similar to rice pudding. The top and bottom surface is usually charred which adds flavor to the product. -Calaramo, Gamiao

BISCOCHO Biscocho is known as the famous baked product of Pasuquin. It is owned by Mrs. E speranza Alvarez It was inherited from her parents since she was their only daughter. This business is already famous since the business was built. Not to mention that this business was built during the world war II . They have two kind of biscocho, the soft and the hard. The soft costs 70 pesos and the the hard is 75 pesos. It maybe expensive for others but you wont regret of buying such because it has its own aroma and a different taste that you will love until the last bite. -Calpito, Pascua, L., Sumaoang

BASI Basi is alcoholic liquor made from fermented sugar cane and regarded as the native wine of  Ilocanos. According to the people in Piddig, basi has a bitter yet sweet flavor which is very like of the people in there. It was a staple among their lives due to its integral part in many Ilocano rituals.  Source for the bitter taste comes from the papait or apdo (bile). It is on of the well known product of Piddig Ilocos Norte. -Pascua, Joyce