TASTE OF DAVAO: THE DURIAN FRUIT

As soon as we step outside the Davao City airport, we immediately get a view of a gigantic durian monument!

I saw lots of durian for sale along the road!

When we went as far as Tagum City, I saw that they welcomed everyone to their Durian Festival.

Then, I am now in Mabini, Compostela Valley Province and previously, part of Davao Del Norte.

Finally, here we have the Durian in front of our eyes and served to us.

I thought that the Durian is uniformly spiky but it is not.

 

 

I thought the spikes are soft, but it is not...Oh, it is so painful to touch and in fact, they used the kitchen pads to hold it!!!

This is about the DURIAN in Wikipedia!

The durian  /ˈdjʊriən/)^[2] is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family^[1][3](although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae^[1]).

Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species.

The edible flesh emits a distinctive odour, strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as fragrant; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as almonds, rotten onions, turpentine and gym socks. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia.

And when opened, this is how it looks!

 

And this is how everyone loves it!!!

Everyone of all ages enjoy it!!!

Actually, the taste really takes getting used to.

In the ComVal area, they say it cost P30 to 40 per kilo and maybe about P45 per kilo in Tagum. 
I still have to find out how much it is in Davao City and Zamboanga City!

Even in Davao, they refuse the Durian into some  (or is most?) hotels.

I asked the lady and she was about to give me a litany of reasons... of course, she didn't have to say that it was because of the strong distinct odor... not fragrance to most!

Well, the durian sweets and confections are fine with me - less hassle and all!!!

BARKADA BURGER IN BIG BITE, ZAMBOANGA

Have you tried the gigantic burger in Zamboanga City?

Well, we do have a place where we can get it from... BIG BITE, Zamboanga City in the Catribo Complex!

Here is what it looks like!

BARKADA BURGER includes a huge hamburger with lots of FRENCH FRIES and a LITER OF COKE!!!

 

So this is how big the burger is 
compared to the individual cheese square 
(for comparison purpose only). 
The cheese inside also fills up the burger area.

And this is how big the burger is compared to their faces!!! 

Come and try it !
It is fun to eat it as a barkada, thus, its name = BARKADA BURGER ! 

It is EATING TIME!

One burger could be for around 6 people, plus and minus depending on the appetite. 

They also accept deliveries!

P.S.

They also have a heart shaped burger for two people.

PASALUBONG FROM ZAMBOANGA: ZAMBO ROLLS / LOKOT-LOKOT

Here is a pasalubong from Zamboanga: ZAMBO ROLLS as it is now called, maybe for easier recall.

But of course, it is the good ole Locot-locot (or Lokot-lokot) which is usually given during Hariraya Puasa or Eidilfitri.

Now, it is readily available at the airport, so for those who weren't able to grab a pasalubong, you can get it at the airport.

Here is how the Locot-locot is now being packaged!

And note the Zamboanga City beauty and historical spots also printed on the box as "Recuerdos de Zamboanga".

 

 

From Taluksangay Muslim Delicacies in Facebook, we learn more about the Locot-locot.

The Muslim communities in the Zamboanga Peninsula are known for the variety of delicacies they produce during special occasions, especially the “Hariraya” or the feast of the Eid-il-Fitr, which celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Foremost among the goodies is the golden brown curious-looking “locot-locot” or “jaa” as the villagers call them. A lot of people actually consider it as the “queen” of the delicacies because it is the most popular and frequently asked for by guests.

Making locot-locot requires a lot of time and hard work. First the grains of rice have to be pounded into flour. Then the correct proportions of water and sugar are added to create a gooey mixture which is poured into a container made of coconut shell with regular small holes at the bottom, all the while it is poised above a frying pan filled with hot oil. As it turns golden brown it is deftly and expertly folded and shaped in the pan with a couple of wooden spoons to create the desired look. Watching a cook do the locot-locot is like watching an artist in motion.

You have to try this out!!!

HARIRAYA PUASA GIFT: MUSLIM DELICACIES

We received a gift from a colleague for Hariraya Puasa which I would like to share with you.

And here is the gift. It is a set of Muslim delicacies - the lokot-lokot, the baulu and the black sweet, which I have not been introduced to.

Lokot-lokot. Lokot usually means rolled in my Visayan dialect. And the unique look of this Lokot- lokot has the appearance of fried vermicelli or bihon.

From this site: Taluksangay Muslim Delicacies in Facebook, I read more about the lokot-lokot.

Making locot-locot requires a lot of time and hard work. First the grains of rice have to be pounded into flour. Then the correct proportions of water and sugar are added to create a gooey mixture which is poured into a container made of coconut shell with regular small holes at the bottom, all the while it is poised above a frying pan filled with hot oil. As it turns golden brown it is deftly and expertly folded and shaped in the pan with a couple of wooden spoons to create the desired look. Watching a cook do the locot-locot is like watching an artist in motion.

Baulu. They say the baulu is a Malay traditional mini sponge cake usually baked during the Hariraya season. 

I don't know the name of this black delicacy. someone told me this is "black gulaman" but I am not sure if she was right. Can anybody help me?

I enjoyed these delicacies.

It is good the Lokot-lokot has found its place as one of Zamboanga City's pasalubong.

I see Baulu only during the Hariraya season. It would be good to see this more.

Thanks for this gift!