In the Northern Philippines, they are called *IPON* and only come in season, only twice a year. So when they start coming, neighbours shout it out to every house they pass through. Share the news as loud as they can! Share the love.
It's quite funny as everyone will be comparing on which vendor sells the cheapest, the tiniest and the lightest in color. Anyone whose late in rushing to that vendor, it's one of the saddest happenings in his or her life. These things, everyone must be up to date. Why people think they will be left behind in buying when rows and rows of vendors can be found not only in the wet market, but also in busy roads.
It's that accessible. Even in the evening.
A kilo can cost $4-6.
I like watching how the vendors entice their customers to buy from them. Sometimes, a vendor can be surrounded by a lot of customers and others don't have any. Looking at what they're selling, they look the same to me.
My family prefers if it's not me buying, I admit I don't know sometimes which ones are the best. Well, I leave it to the experts. I got told off many times before😁😁
It might just be called with another name anywhere in the Philippines. As far as I know, they can only grow bigger by another centimeter.
A friend of mine in Cebu down South calles it *BOLINAO*, but the size i saw online are way bigger than these. This am not sure.
Perhaps, anyone can enlighten us? These are tropical so perhaps they can also be found in the other parts of Asia?
These are what they look like on first arrival, when uncaught, they get a bit bigger and darker. Buyers get picky at this time and most don't buy anymore.
Aren't they blue-eyed?
How they are cooked depends on what one feels like. They can be made as plain salad or soup or an omelette. My mom prefers to prepare them like a salad, full of ginger and vinegar, then wrapped with banana leaves. This preparation will warrants steaming, where the smell from the banana leaves can fill the room with its' fragrance.
It can get weird if one is not used to it. It's a delicacy in our part of the world.
Dare anyone to try.
All images are mine, taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7.
