Thursday, October 11, 2007
KAMOTE
Believe it or not, this is one of my favorite meriendas -- simply boiled and sprinkled with sugar. The yellow ones can be purchased in Quiapo for as low as 20 pesos a kilo; whereas, in the streets of Binondo's Chinatown, a kilo can cost as much as 35 pesos.
Kamote or sweet potato supposedly has its origins in Central America. It is a widely cultivated plant that is consumed throughout the world. It is the world's sixth largest food crop and considered to be important for the growing populations of Asia and Africa.
It also contains certain healing properties. The American Indians used it for treating thirst and weight loss attributed to diabetes, while in Japan, it has been used medicinally for treating diabetes and other diseases. Some nutrients of kamotes are Vitamin C, iron and potassium.
posted by Señor Enrique at 10:12 AM
39 Comments:
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said... Hay naku, I can live on kamote!
You should try the Benguet variety - it is very sweet; you don't need to sprinkle sugar anymore.
I believe many athletes thrive on kamote when undergoing rigid training. They get from it the energy they need without feeling heavy. Ang rice kasi mabigat sa tiyan.-
Señor Enrique said... From Benguet? Hmmmm ... I wonder if i can get them here in Manila. Divisoria, perhaps? Now you got me craving for those Benguet kamote, Rhoda :)
That'd be even better if I need not sprinkle sugar on them. Thanks for the tip!-
said...
I love kamote as well especially the purple ones. Steam them and dip them in coarse sugar while eating. Yum!
(:
What is merienda? Dessert?-
pusa said...
this is my favorite merienda too! or for breakfast and any time of the day. best to eat with coffee :)
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Señor Enrique said...
And that's just the way I like 'em, too, Kyels!
Merienda is snack foodstuff.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, you're right, Pusa. Kamote is fine at any time. That reminds me, I have to get some next time I go to Quiapo; we're completely out.
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Sidney said...
It is on the list of the "150 healthiest foods on Earth" !
It is very rich in fiber and a rich source of powerful antioxidants. It seems it has also cancer fighting properties!
Many more things to tell about those sweet potatoes but it is too long to post it here!
Keep eating them, Eric!-
said...
I like it boiled, broiled over hot charcoal or fried with sugar known more as kamoteque.
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Oman said...
While I was reading your mind, this nursery rhyme keeps ringing in my head"
"Eat kamote, the musical fruit;
The more you eat, the more you pfrrrrttt....."
I am not a fan of kamote but I do try them once in a while. Take care!!!-
ScroochChronicles said...
Hi!! Was wondering if you got my comment. I posted it this morning pa :)
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Señor Enrique said...
It probably didn't get through, Scrooch. Would you mind resending it? Thanks!
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Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Lawstude ... kamote has been pointed out throughout the history of man as a culprit for causing flatulence to young and old folks alike ... hehehe!
Funny rhyme!-
Señor Enrique said...
I love kamoteque also, Leo, but if no vendor nearby, can be lots of work. Boiling or steaming, on the other hand, is by far the simplest :)
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Señor Enrique said...
I will, Sidney :)
Didn't realize kamote has all that good stuff in it. Thanks for sharing!-
said...
I miss kamote-Q (sic)! I used to buy lots during my HS days. Come to think of it, I miss banana-Q as well!
(Hi, Eric. I left a long comment in one of your previous posts, but somehow, it didn't appear. I don't know how to use Blogspot na. :-))-
ScroochChronicles said...
Ok. I said that I was able to get Taiwan kamote at the back of 168 yesterday for only Php30/kilo. Ang puti and the sizes were almost all the same.
Also I asked if you liked kamote fries. I think they call them "kalengkeng" by the street vendors. That's the way I like them. And, I'm back na. Posted a few na din :)-
mgaputonimimi said...
namiss ko ang pagkain na toh.. as in half ata ng mashed kamote ko ay brown sugar.. ^_^ yummy.. ^_^
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armovil said...
Thanks for dropping by and get a comment from you.
By the way, kamote is an example of Specialized roots-Tuberous roots: A portion of a root swells for food or water storage, e.g. sweet potato and dahlia. A type of storage root distinct from taproot.
More power!-
Photo Cache said...
in the old days whenever we used firewood for cooking, we just bury them under the coals and they'd all be ready by pm merienda time, and they were very good too, with or without mantekilya.
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NOYPETES said...
..anak ng kamote!...Masarap ang kamote at staple food ng marami iyan. Murang meryenda, nilaga, inihaw o kaya kamote que nakatuhog sa kawayan. Masustansiya rin ang kamote at subok na sa palakasan(ng utot) ang bisa ng kamote lalo na ang dahon niyan. Puwedeng i-paksiw, adobo tulad ng kang-kong at lahok sa iba-ibang luto ng gulay at karne. Nariyan din ang pinsan nitong Kamoteng Kahoy, inihaw at nilaga katapat lang ay asin o asukal at tubig sa poso ayos na ang maghapon mo sa kalsada o kaya tabing ilog. Kung kailangan niyo ng "Fiber" sa tiyan, Kamote ang kailangan, kaya lang pag sobra ang dami ng kain ng kamote, sunod -sunod din ang labas ng di kanais-nais na halimuyak na dulot ng singaw-puwet galing sa bagong tunaw na kamote sa tiyan.
Subukan mo ito:
Laman ng daing o tuyo, sibuyas bumbay, kamatis.
Boiled kamote mashed with a little bit of harina.
Ibalot mo ang daing or tuyo meat with the sibuyas and kamatis sa Kamote mix, ibalot mo ng dahon ng saging and then steam it for about 20 minutes.
Voila! Masarap na ulam anytime!-
said...
Maraming masarap na mirienda mula sa kamote. Pwedeng nilaga na may niyog at asukal, kamoteque, fried kamote, mashed kamote with condensed milk. Hayy, sarap magmirienda! :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Jayred,
There were many times when I was a kid in which I couldn't make up my mind whether to get a kamoteque or bananaque. So I'd talk my sister Inday to get a bananaque while I the other, and we'd share :)
Scrooch also had problems earlier with her post. Hmmmm ... something wrong with Blogger, perhaps.-
Señor Enrique said...
Your fun pictures of New York made me suddenly miss my old hometown, Scrooch :( Bet you had a grand time!
I often get the Taiwanese variety at the corner of Ongpin and Salazar Street(?) near President's Restaurant, but the vendors wouldn't budge; sticking to their price of 35p/kilo.
Buti pa ata punta na lang ako sa Divisoria at mamili ng maramihan ... hehehe.-
Señor Enrique said...
But wherever you are, Mimi, I bet you can get sweet potato or its closest, yams. Kahit sa New York pag weekends namimili ako ng kamote sa grocery :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Hello Armovil!
Thanks for the express science lecture ... hehehe. But seriously, I didn't know that, and truly appreciate your sharing the info. So, that's why they call them root crops, huh?-
Señor Enrique said...
Mantekilya I'd only use with baked potato, Photo Cache. For kamotes, the regular table sugar is fine with me, but the crispy caramelized sugar of the kamoteque adds an interesting contrast to the kamote's soft texture.
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Señor Enrique said...
Sige nga, bolahin ko si Inday itong weekend na subukan gawin itong recipe me, Pete. Mukhang katakam-takam ito, ah.
Ayun na nga, noong kami'y mga bata pa pag tapos mag merienda ng kamote ay biglang may contest na ng ututan ... hahaha.-
Señor Enrique said...
Know what, LAR, ngayon ko lang naalala: di ba meron din tayong merienda na diced or cubed kamote in a glass of milk and sugar with a couple of iced cubes?
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Señor Enrique said...
Aha! From Central America to Mexico and then the Galleon to the Philippines. Interesting!
By the way, thanks also for sending me the JPG Mag link, Romy. I'd already signed up for it in the past, but haven't had the chance to go back and explore it further.-
said...
It is also called the musical fruit as it produces a variety of ring tones after you have too much of it.
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Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... so true, Anon!
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Señor Enrique said...
I did have a peculiar feeling that perhaps, there was another message you posted prior to the one I responded to. Yup, some folks had problems posting comments yesterday.
No, I haven't seen that ad, but we planted talbos ng kamote out in the yard. Had no idea they grow fast ... lol.
Thanks, too, Romy!-
said...
Oo nga pala, meron nga non. At sinasama din siya sa ginataang halu-halo. Plus may kinakain ako noong bata pa ako na kamote with sago. Sarap non! :)
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reyd said...
Kamote! expression? or merienda?
I just love them... kahit sumakit ang tiyan ko, basta me pritong kamote na may arnibal, ayos yan!
Minsan inasama pa ng misis ko sa ulam, lalo na yung nilagang baka na may kamote at saging na saba.
When we were kids, bumibili kami ng halo-halo sa palengke ng san juan(to go or take out), nilalagay nila sa lata ng gatas(hahaha) when we arrived home, bubungkalin ng mga kapatid ko yung halo-halo para alisin yung kamote dahil ayaw nila, palit ko yung langka sa kamote nila since isang hiwa lang langka ang kasama at mas maraming kamote. Good deal.. :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Suwerte mo, gandang deal nga yan -- isang pirasong langka kapalit ay maraming kamote :)
Naku, Reyd, habang binabasa ko ang istorya mo naisip ko naman ngayon ang ginataang bilo-bilo o ginataang halo-halo kasi nilalagyan din nila ng kamote ito. Hala, naghahangad tuloy ako ngayon kumain niyan ... hehehe.-
said...
boiled kamote is a part of my ate's diet.and she's eating b.kamote 4 almost a year na ata...kya pag-may nangamoy sa bahay alam na nmin kng sino ang may sala..nyahaha;)
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Señor Enrique said...
Okay lang sa bahay, huwag lang sa kotse ... hahaha!
Know what, Kite? You just gave me an idea -- will now include kamote as a regular part of my diet just like your ate's, not necessarily to annoy people but more for adopting a healthier eating habit. Thanks!-
said...
anak ng kamote! love ko rin yan, but we don't have that much choices here. we just grab what's available in the produce aisle. but fried kamote top with carameled brown sugar, ayayah delicioso!
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Señor Enrique said...
Same as when I was still in NYC, Nell, I just used to take what was available and boil them :) Okay ng pang snack!
