Pichi-pichi

Pichi-pichi is a traditional Filipino dessert. Pichi-pichi is made from grated cassava or cassava flour, water and sugar. The mixture is then steamed, then cut into pieces and then rolled in grated coconut.

Equipment:

• Cassava Grater
• Blender
• Steamer
• Small Tin Cups
• Coconut Grater
  

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cassava, grated (kamoteng kahoy or balinghoy)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• food coloring (optional)
• grated coconut
• 1 tsp. lihiya (lye)
  

Procedures:

1. Peel cassava and grate finely with a metal grater over a large bowl.
2. Add water and sugar. Mix well.
3. Process cassava mixture in a food processor to get a smooth texture. Add food coloring if desired.
4. Pour mixture into a small tin cups. Arrange the tin cups in a steamer and steam over a medium heat for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove pichi-pichi from tin cups. Coat with grated coconut.
6. Serve with hot or cold drinks.

Squash Cuchinta

Squash or kalabasa, is a viny, creeping and trailing crop producing fruits and considered to be one of the most delicious vegetables. It is the most commonly and regularly grown vine plant due to its rich source of Vitamin A, phosphorous and calcium. The young and tender shoots make good vegetable salad. The fruit is excellent for ginataan.

Experts at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology classified squash to the A-list of superfoods—containing pro-vitamin A that can help those fond of consuming it gain better eyesight, healthier hair, smoother and clearer skin, as well as for better overall growth.

Here are some steps on how to make squash cuchinta.

Materials:

• 1 cup mashed boiled squash
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup all purpose flour, shifted
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon lye (dissolved)

Procedures:

1. Dissolve the sugar in water and boil, allow to cool.
2. Add the flour little by little.
3. Add the squash, keep on stirring until it becomes fine in texture.
4. Shift.
5. Add the lye, stir.
6. Put the mixture in molds, with allowance of a little space from the rim.
7. Cook in double boiler for 20 minutes.