Banana leaves in Milan
My big score of the day: a package of fresh banana leaves and a vegetable gourd that was labeled as balsam pear. Growing up in the islands, I've always known this as pariya or bitter melon, but the name goya is also common among local folks in Hawaii. The tiny grocery store is just a few steps away from the De Angeli metro stop and I was surprised at how well-lit and clean it was compared to other minuscle spaces just like it. As usual, shelves are stocked from top to bottom with an astounding variety of ingredients to satisfy that ethnic food craving, speaking of which, now I can try a recipe for Stuffed Bitter Melon that Nate shared on his blog. I also picked up a packet of powdered ube but really have no clue on what to do with it. I adore the purple hue that it gives. Suggestions from experienced ube cooks?
Mabuhay Philippine GroceryVia Parmigianino, 11
Milano
Metro: De Angeli
Phone: 0248027071
scribbled from the chestnut forest by Rowena... at 12:03 AM
10 Comments:
I am no ube cook, but I suggest ube ice-cream, YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!!!!!
In Hong Kong, we have a clay pot dish called Ube & Cured Duck Pot, very yummy as well.
And it's lucky for you to get all these "exotic" ingredients in Italy. The year I was living in Budapest, I couldn't even get a bottle of soy sauce easily, but then it was 15 years ago...
saw some ube hopia at Nanding's while I was in Hawaii...great finds!
I can make these little red bean and rice cake wrapped in banana leaves.
I was so hoping that you were going to share a banana leave recipe.:(
I hope you share soon.
Kenny - you are indeed, the world traveler. Most every time you comment, I learn about something new. Ube & Cured Duck Pot sounds fantastic!
Kat - would you believe that I've never even had one? So much for being in the know on my own culture. I think I've been italian-ized....haha!
Zhu - those sound yummy; will search for recipe.
Foodie - I was hoping to share too, but first I need the rest of the ingredients! :-DDDD
I had to google it myself, it sounds like it is pastry filled with ube (like mooncakes).
No experience doing anything with ube, but I remember how weird I thought it was the first time I saw purple ice cream and had to ask my wife what it was. I'm still not sure what an ube actually is. Guess I should Google it!
Oh man, I haven't had stuffed bitter melon in YEARS! I need to tell my Mom we just need to have a Filipino cookout one of these days. Now if only we could find a grocer that sells marungay. ;o)
I don't suppose all those 'banana trees' that people have growing ornamentally in their yards here would give the right kind of leaf? Probably not... what a find!
Brad - she must know of a lot of things made with ube! I had no idea ube hopia was a xmas thing until its popularity necessitated the production of it year round.
.Kat - guess what?!? I found marungay at another asian food store, but it looked a little sad so I passed. There was dasheen too (gotta have it for making nishime!).
Fern - I've seen both ornamentals and non, and have also discovered on at least one italian blog where the leaves of their garden variety was used to cook an ethnic dish. And of course there is Scintilla in Positano who has a whole patch of banana trees!
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