barako finger (dynamite chili stick)

barako finger  - /ba-rá-ko fing-geyr/ Tagalog delicacy) [n.] green finger chili roll \dynamite chili. 

Other local name:

• a.k.a. dynamite chili or dynamite chili stick in Tagalog and Cebuano

The siling berde or siling haba (green finger chili) is cut lengthwise with the stalk remaining intact, seeds removed, washed clean, then filled with a cheese stick. Another version is filled with sautéed ground meat in chili sauce instead of a cheese stick. The filled chili is then wrapped in lumpia wrapper (wanton wrapper) and fried until crisp and browned.

The stem or stalk of the finger chili juts out like a wicker of dynamite. Thus, it is called dynamite chili with reference to its dynamite-like appearance.

Packs of freshly made and uncooked barako fingers are sold in food stalls at the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan.

The barako finger is deep fried and served as an appetizer or a pulutan. It makes a good partner with your ice-cold beer.

The barako finger is not too hot to handle as one may think because siling haba (green finger chili) is mildly spicy hot, even made lesser spicy hot when its seeds are removed.

A pile of dynamite chilies at a world-class and first picnic-inspired night food market at Glorietta's Dolphin Park in Ayala Center, Makati City.

The barako finger could be a lot hotter if the seeds are not removed. However, keeping all those seeds inside would cause this appetizer to have a hint of bitterness in taste.

Here are the steps on how to make the simplest version of barako finger (a.k.a. dynamite chili).

A serving of freshly fried barako finger (a.k.a. dynamite chili) doused with sweet chili sauce.

There are now many variations on how barako finger is prepared and enhanced. The most common is with the filling lined with a sheet of bacon before it is wrapped in a lumpia wrapper.

Those who seek or demand an intensely hot variation can have their wish granted by simply adding minced siling labuyo (Philippine tiny bird’s eye chili) or any other species of chili pepper that are intensely hot. If Carolina Reaper is available, you can use it to rig the barako finger or dynamite chili to the max. Just add the explosive super hot chili in the sautéed ground meat for the filling. A chili sauce version can also be used.  

Now you have another good reason to cry out loud, babe.

All photos by Edgie Polistico in this blog are copyrighted. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Encouragement and enthusiasm are not enough. I also need moral support, prayers, and anything else that can uplift my spirit and keep my good reasons. Keep them coming. All I know is that I am happy with what I am sharing and giving away. If you are pleased and happy with what I am doing, just smile and please share the happiness. Keep sharing and include to share the PHILIPPINE FOOD ILLUSTRATED. I feel energized when my blog becomes one of the reasons why you are happy and smiling. 

Edgie Polistico 

taklong

taklong – /ták-long/ (Hiligaynon [Capizeño] snail) [n.] forest snail. 

Other local common name:

• a.k.a. takrong in Hiligaynon (Capizeño)

A species of big-sized forest snail found in the woods or forested areas of Capiz province and nearby provinces on Malay island. This snail would thrive in moist places near a river or waterfalls. It lives on trees as this snail is fed with leaves of trees and other plants. 

They are caught crawling under the foliage and on the branches of trees and other plants. The snail is carrying on its back a dark brown coiling shell. 

It looks like kurakol (plant snail) or a big-sized kuhol (escargot). 

As food, taklong is collected and boiled in water to make it easy to pull out its meat from its coiling shell. The meat is pried out with a fork or pin.

The meat is cooked into barbekyung taklong (forest snail barbecue) by marinading it in barbecue sauce then skewered on a stick and grilled, or made into guinataang taklong (forest snail in coconut milk), guinisang taklong (sautéed forest snail), or adobong taklong (pickled forest snail). When cooked, it is gummy and chewy like a chicken gizzard.

Personal note

This snail is quite different from kuhol. It tastes bitter and chewy. In my case, I turned squeamish and had a thorough exercise with my jaw masticating the dish. It takes a good combination of spices and seasonings to make it at least enticing. Its bitterness is definitely so strong due to its diet of forest green leaves.

All photos by Edgie Polistico are copyrighted. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

See Index of Entries here 

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Let us know your opinion on the subject. Feel free to comment in the comment section, below. It is important for us to know what you think.

Tell us what other topics you would like us to write, share, and discuss. 

For more about Filipino food, see  this Philippine Food, Cooking, and Dining Dictionary. It is OPEN and FREE.

Continue to follow my blogs. You can also follow and learn more by joining us in our Facebook group. Have more bits and pieces about our kind of food, ingredients, and ways of cooking, dining, and knowing food culture across the 7,641 islands of the Philippines.

Encouragement and enthusiasm are not enough. I also need moral support, prayers, and anything else that can uplift my spirit and keep my good reasons. Keep them coming. All I know is that I am happy with what I am sharing and giving away. If you are pleased and happy with what I am doing, just smile and please share the happiness. Keep sharing and include to share the PHILIPPINE FOOD ILLUSTRATED. I feel energized when my blog becomes one of the reasons why you are happy and smiling. 

Edgie Polistico