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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