We had accomplished what we had hoped for during our visit to Culion, Palawan. So the second day on the island, it was time to celebrate our “triumph.” And cholesterol/uric acid/gout/fat concerns aside, we had a wonderful lunch… Amongst the many dishes on offer, were mangrove fresh alimango (mud crab) in the first photo up top. Simply steamed and served with garlic vinegar, they were sweet and meaty…
We also had several kilos of alimasag (blue crabs) that had a lighter meat, also sweet, possibly sweeter than the alimango…
…a large piggy was roasted on a spit…
…and the hostess prepared her special dinuguan, still pinkish brown rather than the darker color of other dinuguans I have had. I am not a huge fan of dinuguan but I could appreciate how fresh and authentic this one was…
And there were at least 6 other dishes such as tanguigue sinigang, kinilaw, fried fish, etc., so it is even more amazing that everything was cooked in this kitchen with three charcoal burners! The freshness of the ingredients, the earnestness of the dishes, the hospitality of the hosts, these are the hallmarks a special provincial meal…
To our hosts and hostesses, their relatives and friends who all worked so hard to pull off several wonderful meals, a HUGE THANK YOU from Marketman and Party! We really appreciate all of the hospitality, the delicious food and all of the effort expended to make our brief stay so wonderful and fattening!
26 Responses
Mouthwatering :)
OMG MM, kill me now….. i missed these foods. and that dinuguan, yuummyyy!!!!
wow…
nakakatulo talaga ng laway…
waaaahhh
…I am REALLY REALLY, REALLY getting soooooo HOMESICK now!!!!!
Ah, the ever famous Filipino trademark of hospitality. When I went home last year, I realized I’ve been gone too long as I find the attention effusive and tad embarrassing.
MM, I’m guessing that this feast was finely orchestrated for your party of 4 or 5? If so, your car must have ended up with a flat tire afterwards! haha
Everything looks delicious! Great way to celebrate your accomplished mission and welcome you into their kingdom! I can see the satisfaction and happiness brimming with big smile on their happy faces. When things get done right it called for celebration. You being in their abode and spent your time, worked with them and went out of your way I can feel their joy, happiness and pride. One of the young binibinis wears your famous “SUKI†shirt and one of the gentlemen of the house wears your Marketmanila shirt too – the one in the left rear end. As always bless your big heart! You are mega star now!
that, indeed, is a feast!
food quintessentially brings back memories, of someone, of home, places we’ve been to, events, etc. that dinuguan reminds me of a friend, whose version of that dish looks exactly like that, including the sili on top.
I’ve been gone too long. It’s nice to see from their faces and feel their warmth hospitality that they have extended to your party. What a rich blessing to have them as your friends and that you were able to help them. Pilipino people don’t have much, but they have no problem sharing. Very beautiful indeed.
Aah! The hospitality that is purely Filipino! I recall a story I was told that a Japanese professor would bring his students over here to learn how to appreciate Life— with a ready smile and generous hearts!
Thank you for the feast,MM, even if it just for my eyes :-)
woowwwww….. yummy!
This is what I missed back home. Mga lutong bahay.
Nice blog! Can’t wait for your next blog.
I’m gonna buy some crabs tomorrow at Farmer’s Market!!!!!!!
Nothing beats the Filipino hospitality!!! May God bless their hearts!!
By the way, the crabs and lechon looks so good! What a feast indeed! :)
oooo… crabs… have u tried soft shelled crabs.. not the ones u can eat at french restos .. but in a chinese resto, blogged abt it in my site
It would definitely be hard to resist that. Lechon and crabs, what a great combination. Best served with plain rice and eaten with hands. Sarap!
Lechon, dinuguan and crabs…. Talk about asking for a bout of gout. But a celebration is a celebration! Who cares if you have to limp home. Must say though, that is a terrible piggy shot, with the burnt out eyes and ears and mangled snout in the foreground. For a millisecond there, I actually comtemplated going vegetarian.
Give me a big bowl of rice now! It’s not just the amazing seafood we have back home that I miss, but the warm hospitality of the people.
That looks yummy. I remember cooking with charcoal stove. Food seemed to taste better.
Last time I went home my brother brought alimangos that had a lot of aligi. I swear I felt a little dizzy after meal. I need to go home!
ps
I copied the last photo as I want to ask a kababayan if she knows these folks.
Hope you don’t mind.
Thank you.
Juli, I think my assistant and his relatives know you; so your kababayan will probably know them… Myra, I have to agree, the pig looked vicious, but better the front end than the rear end on this one… :)
You might consider sending your hosts a couple of decent pots and pans, it’s a wonder they cooked all those dishes with only those very inexpensive aluminum pots…
oh the lechon looks sinfully delicious :-)
ahh this is my kind of post. authentic ‘promdi’
cooking in the most idyll setting. and nothing beats palawan!
Marketman: to borrow Sec.Neri’s words–“you’re evil!”Ha!Ha!Ha!Alimasag/Alimango are my weakness.But only the freshest ones,females with lots of aligue!This is ecstasy!Just a trivia-do you know that seafoods mainly crabs and shrimps are no-nos for those with keloids—makes them itchy and painful.I should know…. ;)
Culion has current for only 12 hours a day (from 12 noon to midnight). There are no refrigerators in most of the houses. Liquified petroleum gas has a mark up of 20% (shipped in from Coron or Manila). They used to use mangroves as firewoods (the best since it takes quite a while before they are completely burned), but since this is not environmentally sound, mayor Cantimbuhan banned its use and they now use ordinary woods which could be obtained from the inlands (quite a distance).
I am sure that planning and preparation started a day before (there is no market in Culion) for this sumptuous meal. This is truly Culion’s hospitality at its best!
By the way, I seem to miss their honest to goodness Nido soup (authentic swift’s nest). Even if they are near the island of Coron, still the ingredient is expensive (in Manila, I think it cost 950 to 1,100 per cup, depending in size). Maybe on your next trip, you could savor its original and distinct flavor!
I wish to go back in culion this summer. i missed people there specially those who live in the so called “destino”.
nakakamiz po tLaga lalo na ung maligo ng dagat. We visited pulang lupa last xmas when i got der nd it was really great!!
i heard someone says,mas magnda p rw sa taGaytay.! well i thnk you must try to visit culion.. sulit ang vacation mo.promiz.
Malaki n improvement nto at the moment, nice job.! I salute to those hu aRe n the position.