Hopiang Ube at Hopiang Baboy / 'Kundol'
(Purple Yum and Winter Melon moon cakes)
It's been rainy all day today. I like the rain. It reminds me of the Philippines. My sister and I used to play in the rain when we were young. There was constant rain {monsoons, really} in the city where we grew up. We would often come home from school soaking wet. This is expected and we were ready for it. Our books and school stuff are wrapped in plastic and we usually have waterproof backpacks. No rainboots thank you very much. It will only accumulate water and will make it hard to run. Rubber sandals are just fine. Now, I still enjoy the rain... as long as I'm inside dry and having tea, I'm okay {Well, a little homesick, but I'm okay}. Age is taking it's toll, maybe.
I also have a special treat that reminds me of the Philippines today: Pilipino style moon cakes.
Our Chinese friends the world over will soon be celebrating the Autumn Festival with their delicious moon cakes. These cakes are significant to them and are made of different ingredients for different flavors. A famous {and expensive} flavor is the lotus. Special moon cakes contain salted duck eggs.
For Pilipinos, the most common is hopiang baboy. Which means moon cake pig, literally. I don't know, maybe because pig fat is used as oil? It is made from kundol, winter melon. There are also many other different flavors such as ube {purple yum} and monggo {mung beans}. Real Pilipino hopia use pure ube or monggo versus cheaply done versions are made of flour that is only flavored and colored to look like the real thing {That's what is usually available abroad... sad... maybe I'll learn to make it one day?... maybe...}. Whatever the case, these treats are perfect for a meryenda {afternoon snack and beverage}.
Hubby and I visited some friends in Montreal, Quebec a few days ago and they took me to a Chinese Market full of Pilipino goodness. Me like a child in a candy store is an understatement. I got some hopia or moon cakes for myself and as presents for my friends. My Canadian friends weren't fans of this treat. But for Pilipinos, these cakes plus some green tea is like a hug from home on a cool rainy day.
Isn't this pink tea cup pretty? It's from a company called Sutherland and is made in England. I got it from an antique shop in Moncton a long while ago. Does it make you imagine of Cinderella's wedding gown in her latest movie? I thought so... ;-)
This very convenient mug is from David's Tea. I got it on sale on their last spring sale. I like it cause it has a stainless steel filter for easy infusion of loose leaf teas and a lid to help keep the tea warm. The mug is dishwasher safe though I elect to hand wash it anyway...
P.S. Just another little trivial conversation.
You may be familiar with Pilipinos and the Philippines? The Philippines is a cluster of little islands in Southeast Asia, and we Pilipinos are everywhere! lol... The name "Philippines" is in honor of the King of Spain, King Philip. It may be logical then to call it's inhabitants, Philippinos, right? Like those from the USA are called Americans, from Canada are called Canadians, Vietnam is Vietnamese... so forth... But it is not in the natural tongue of the Pilipinos to pronounce 'f' or 'ph' sounds nor does repeating letters for a single pronunciation make sense, hehehe... So, Philippino to us is simply Pilipino. ;-)
Have a nice day friends!
Post linked with: Rose Chintz Cottage | Bernideen's Tea Blog | Mosaic Monday | Image-in-ing | Martha's Favorites | Bella Rosa Antiques |
