Pinoy Summer Foods 2023

by Ronel Forbes

May 18, 2023

Every Filipino is undoubtedly searching for ways to beat the heat with this sweltering weather. The fans and air conditioners are running nonstop, some people swim in the pool or visit the beach, while others stay inside the mall and, of course, consume cool beverages.

Filipinos undoubtedly enjoy eating. Additionally, given that it is already summer and the heat is unbearable, anticipate them to use their culinary expertise to prepare their preferred summertime dishes and beverages.

Here are the delicious summertime beverages and dishes that will completely sate your appetite and keep you cool no matter how hot the day is.

Halo-Halo

This is widely regarded as the most popular iced delicacy in the Philippines, not just during the hot summer months but throughout the entire year.

During these hot months, there are halo-halo stands on every street corner in both urban and rural locations. This delectable delicacy is frequently inexpensive and far less expensive than store-bought ice cream. But because it has a scoop of ice cream on top, homemade halo-halo is superior.

It makes you want to reach for one just thinking about the combination of kidney beans, sweetened banana, macapuno, langka, monggo, ube jam, gelatin, nata de coco, creamy milk, Leche flan, and a scoop of ice cream in a bowl or tumbler with shaved ice and rice crispies on top.

By the way, “halo-halo” literally translates to “mix-mix.” The term “halo-halo” simply refers to a dessert that is produced by combining up to a dozen various “sweet” components, excluding shaved ice and evaporated milk.

Ice Scramble

Skrambol is for you if you like pink-hued sweetness that is covered with powdered milk and chocolate syrup and occasionally dusted with crumbs of your favorite delicacies.

The well-known “panghimagas” dessert, thought to have originated in Iloilo, is composed of shaved ice colored pink with food coloring and topped with powdered milk, tapioca pearls, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Strawberry syrup, multicolored micro marshmallows, pinipig (rice crispies), and chocolate chips are additional potential toppings.

Sago’t Gulaman

The Sago’t Gulaman must be considered the epitome of a genuine and true blue Filipino epicure if there is one well-known beverage we can use as a benchmark.

If you can relate your own version of one of these childhood merienda tales, which describe the innocent days when you had to solace yourself with this sweet and hydrating beverage on a sweltering summer afternoon, then you most likely survived the tropical heat of the Philippines.

Sago’t Gulaman is available all year round, just like Halo-Halo, although it is more reasonably priced.

Maiz con Hielo (Mais con Yelo)

Halo-Halo and Maiz with Hielo are comparable, but Halo-Halo is more extravagant. Maiz con Hielo, which my mother used to refer to as the “poor man’s Halo-Halo,” is a delight that she used to prepare for us during the steamy, humid summers in the Philippines.

Shaved ice, maize kernels, sugar, and milk are the main ingredients in maz with hielo. It is a variant of the more well-known halo-halo and is typically popular in the summer.

Buko Pandan

Filipinos love BukoPandan, a traditional dessert prepared with young coconut and screwpine leaves, also called as “Pandan” locally.

Because of the texture and dairy products used, this decadent delicacy may initially be mistaken for Buko Salad. The distinction is made by the green gelatin, which has pandan flavor and scent.

Young buko strips, tapioca pearls, cream, milk, and pandan-flavored gelatin are all ingredients in the salad known as buko pandan. Serve chilled for the ideal summertime treat.

Filipino ice cream or sorbetes

The Filipino equivalent of ice cream is called sorbetes, and it is served on a cone and has flavors like chocolate, mango, ube, and cheese. It is produced from carabao or coconut milk.

Using brightly painted wooden carts that can often hold three flavors, each in a sizable metal canister, sorbeteros sell sorbetes. Throughout the day, vendors call customers from their homes by ringing a small handheld bell. Vendors rent their carts from manufacturers dispersed throughout the Philippine cities in the morning.

To lower the temperature around the metal canisters and keep the sorbetes frozen for a longer period of time, the cart is filled with shaved ice dusted with salt.

Leche Flan

While strolling along the beach in the summer, halo-halo, another Filipino dessert, topped with a sizable chunk of leche flan, will help you beat the heat. The Leche flan is what distinguishes the halo-halo delicacy from other desserts despite its milky smoothness.

Leche flans are frequently prepared with a llanera, which gives them the familiar oval shape that Filipinos are accustomed to. I enjoy its creamy smoothness and think back on the good old days as I sigh.

A Leche flan can be matched with a wide variety of foods and treats that will tantalize your palate. I discovered a custard cake at our neighborhood bakery while searching for the greatest Leche flan desserts. It has a layer of leche flan on top and a melt-in-your-mouth chiffon cake at the bottom.

The melt-in-your-mouth sensation with each bite of Leche flan and the gooey caramel sauce are what drive people wild (including me).

Guinomis

A Filipino dessert or snack called guinumis, also written with a U, is comparable to Halo-Halo. It is sweetened with raw sugar and pandan syrup, topped with shaved ice and coconut milk, and contains diced sweet gelatin, tapioca pearls, and puffed pinipig (pounded young glutinous rice).

You’ll adore the many textures of the cool shaved ice, chewy sago and gelatin, crunchy pinipig, and creamy coconut milk.

Pinoy Street Food

In the Philippines, trying street cuisine is a lot of fun, a challenge, and it helps you save money. Most often, you may get street food in parks, bus or jeep terminals, churches, and schools.

These street dishes cannot be purchased for more than 20 pesos or around 0.50 USD. Even though the majority are best served hot, Filipinos are unable to resist devouring these calorie-laden but flavorful treats.

Please read: VISIT BAGUIO CITY FOR THESE REASONS

Conclusion

The Philippines has a lot more to offer than what is listed above. Different tourists, even foreign vloggers, return to the country due to its distinctive cuisine and meal combinations.

Make sure to have travel insurance that will protect you from unforeseen circumstances while you are away from home.