April 3, 2010
-
Holy week Filipino diet
Food
When it comes to Holy Week, no other Asian country is as fervent in its observance than the Filipinos. We have our own traditions, including food.***
A very common fare for Holy Week is the binignit, sometimes referred to as dinuldog.
This thick and sweet concoction is widely eaten, most especially during Maundy Thursday or Holy Friday, when everyone is supposed to be on a fast. Fast, would not mean not eating anything, but rather, avoiding meat and other extravagant fares. Binignit is a poor man's fare, and so, why not binignit?
Each family has their own way of cooking binignit but the basic ingredients would include coconut milk, sago pearls (in different colors, 2nd pic), ripe banana (3rd pic), gabi (taro), ube (yam), camote (sweet potato). They also put in tapioca (landang, 4th pic) to make it even more sticky. I would also add some jackfruit to add some sweetness.Mix everything together and simmer in the coconut milk until it becomes very thick.
***
Somehow, I would associate eating this gooey snack at 3 p.m., I don't know why.
My grandma used to cook this for snacks. And although its delicious, the color are just so uninteresting and looked so heavy, so, I kind of shy away from it.
***
Another Holy Week fare would be biko which is sticky rice cooked in coconut milk with brown sugar (I prefer, muscovado), ginger, and some Panama orange (kalamansi).
***
I surmise that all these root crop and rice-based dishes for Holy Week has something to do with the celebration of fertility. Age-old pagan traditions would have devotees offering rice and root crops to their gods in exchange for a good harvest next planting season.
I think this is symbolic to the celebration that we, modern Christians, believe in. the symbolism is just so similar. The resurrection of Christ, the renewal of Earth.
***
What are your Holy Week traditions?
Comments (16)
I don't know yet....I'll let you know when I finally figure it out. (Views changed after surviving major car accident)
Hey....you coming back???
im back, yehey!!! hehehe
Is sleeping in the menu? Hehe... j/k!
oh man, that pic of binignit makes me want to go out and get it. unfortunately, i only have the microwaveable champorado. i suck right now, lol.
@hesacontradiction - Missing him... are we?
I suppose eating it in the United States would make you fat, but eating it in hot Philippines would just melt off of your body. Eat to live and live to eat!
@RestlessButterfly - Guilty!
@PPhilip - Everything in the United States makes you fat
@RestlessButterfly - thanks for missing me rez
i've been busy reviewing for an exam... got to take control of my life... today i decided to take a peek again hehehe 
@ThePrince - you can always make one
hehehe its just a bunch of rootcrops 
@PPhilip - i have to disagree... it makes you fat as well... believe me...
@hesacontradiction - you guys just gives me all the reasons i need to keep coming back here... thank you...
Coming back? well I'd better subscribe!
@tribong_upos - Exam? Are you still study, or further study, or...?
My family has mixed beliefs. We celebrate Christmas, Wesak Day and Eid ul Fitr (Hari Raya - Muslim festival) but I don't celebrate Easter.
I think I've tried that binignit before. I do have Pinoy relatives.
Easter egg hunting with the nephews!
@PPhilip - thanks Philip... or how should i call you?
@RestlessButterfly - i plan to take get a license to practice physical therapy in the US. i'm leaving the country, its becoming desperate here. there i could earn as much as USD300 a day! that's like 1 month salary for me here.
@Reckless@mancouch - now, that's what i call ecumenical
@Justin_DeBin - hehehe the pleasure of finding treasures
Comments are closed.