Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Crazy egg

There are many classic Filipino foods that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.

But one that I do like is called itlog na maalat or salted egg. When you go to the market here, you can differentiate them from normal eggs by their color. They're dyed a migraine-inducing purple.


These babies are ready to eat. Remove the shell, slice 'em up, and they make a fine topping for a lot of dishes. Earlier today I had a bibingka (something like a rice cake) topped with cheese and coconut flakes and butter and slices of salted egg. Yummy.

The Tagalog word for egg is itlog. This word is also used when talking about balls (and I don't mean the kind children play with).

Which reminds me of a couple of classic Pinoy jokes about eggs/balls/itlog.

Q: How do you make your eggs red?
A: Slap 'em.

Q: How do you make your eggs salty?
A: Go jogging

No, I don't think we have jokes about blue balls/eggs. But what the blazes do I know.

16 comments:

Photo Cache said...

Oh I love these with diced tomatoes and green mangoes. You only need rice and you're all set.

Daddy Papersurfer said...

I wonder if I could recreate this effect? - perhaps I'll experiment with some pickled beetroot .....

Anonymous said...

Wow, those are some bright pink eggs!

Bud Weiser, WTIT said...

At least you didn't write this on YOUR mom's birthday!

Anonymous said...

i miss itlog na maalat as palaman sa pandesal, yummy!

grace

Lizza said...

Photo: I make a mean green mango salad. No salted egg in my version though!

DaddyP: Just make sure you have the TG's permission before you do it.

Citizen: One example of the local color.

Bud: I'll think about something raunchy to write on my mom's birthday. I can't top yours, though.

Graciaaaaa!: Musta na? Kelan ka uwi ulit? Itlog na maalat sa pandesal? Now that I don't think I'd dare try.

Natalia said...

Do they eat the eggs with the embryos in them like in other places? I can't get over that. I mean, I guess it's just as bad as eating a cow, but this just seems weirder, for whatever reason.

Lizza said...

Nat: Duck embryo, that's a very popular street food here, called balut. I won't gross you out with a picture.

penfold said...

Duck embryo? Sounds delicious - deep fried or raw like sushi? x

Lizza said...

Penfold: They're usually boiled, but some restaurants have a sizzling version...served on a hot plate.

Sushi...mmmmmmmm.

Glamourpuss said...

Ew, you're on your own there - I can't bear eggs - salty or otherwise.

Puss

Anonymous said...

We have that too I think... but it's white in colour and covered with something moss like that is black in colour on the shell
I love salty eggs toooooo

Lizza said...

Puss doesn't like eggs, check. I'll remember that if we ever get together for dinner one of these days. :-)

ZI: Heyyyy, so good to see you again. I think your version there in Malaysia is more similar to century eggs (which we have too). Very flavorful!

Travis Cody said...

I'm not sure I understand. The purple ones are already hard boiled?

Lizza said...

Yes, Travis. You buy them already boiled and salted.

Eastcoastdweller said...

Me, I've always wanted to try some balut. One of these days, one of these days ... there's a Filipino market up in the capital city that reportedly carries it.