| The Banana Trunk-Core Cooked with Coconut Milk | | | | 1 pc. Chili pepper |
| You have just heard of Heart of Palm or read some | | | | 2 cloves garlic |
| recipe books about it but probably you rarely heard | | | | 1 small pack of pepper |
| of the Tender Core of Banana Trunk Cooked with | | | | 2 cups of coconut milk |
| Coconut Milk. | | | | ½ cup cooking oil |
| I've worked with the Foreign Service before and as | | | | 1 can sardines |
| such I luckily had some experiences tasting | | | | Salt |
| sumptuous food prepared by the best chefs in town. | | | | 2 tablespoons salted fish sauce (Patis) |
| They are good but a little bit expensive for the | | | | A pinch of Monosodium glutamate (according to your |
| common masses. | | | | taste) |
| On the other hand, the Tender Core of Banana | | | | Preparation: |
| Trunk is somehow different although you cannot find | | | | 1. Use gloves and coveralls when cutting into the |
| it everywhere, or perhaps, it is rarely sold in the | | | | trunk as the sap from the banana trunk seriously |
| market. It is not because it's that expensive; but in | | | | stains clothes and hands. |
| fact it's the cheapest food obtainable in the farm. | | | | 2. Peel and slice the tender core of the trunk, |
| Maybe you can get them free if you are diligent | | | | 3. Remove dried sap. Also remove the most inner |
| enough to have a little strolling in the woods, much | | | | core which is a little bitter. |
| more so when you have a banana plantation. Above | | | | How to cook: |
| all, according to my recent internet research, it is an | | | | 4. Soak into saltwater for a few hours before use to |
| excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, | | | | avoid dark discoloration. |
| and potassium, they provide fiber, are low in fat, | | | | 5. In a kettle, boil the core until half-cooked. Set aside. |
| cholesterol-free and low in sodium. | | | | 6. Heat the pan and pour cooking oil |
| The Philippine "Saba" is one variety of bananas | | | | 7. Saute with garlic and onion. |
| suitable for the aforesaid recipe. Other varieties are | | | | 8. Pour the coconut milk until boiled and dense. Put |
| acrid and you may not like the taste. | | | | ginger. |
| Ingredients: | | | | 9. Put the half-cooked core into the pan. Wait until |
| I kilo tender core of banana trunk (ubod) - peeled | | | | boiled. |
| and sliced. | | | | 10. Mix all the remaining ingredients including sardines. |
| 1 piece ginger | | | | Stir. |
| 1 pc onion | | | | 11. Serve hot. |