What is dampalit, you may ask? That's actually what I did when we were served atsarang dampalit during a welcome lunch in Roxas City.
Maam Sonie, our host, explained that dampalit, is sort of a weed that grows near fishponds and most commonly used as feeds.
And they sort of have a portion of their vegetable garden that is devoted to dampalit, thus they can have this "exotic" and delicious atsara anytime.
And they sort of have a portion of their vegetable garden that is devoted to dampalit, thus they can have this "exotic" and delicious atsara anytime.
The bottled atsarang dampalit served was just a day old that we still tasted the crunch in the dampalit leaves.
While common atsaras have papaya, tambo (labong), amargoso (bitter gourd) and even pineapple as base, its the first time I tried made from leaves of a plant.
While common atsaras have papaya, tambo (labong), amargoso (bitter gourd) and even pineapple as base, its the first time I tried made from leaves of a plant.
And there's no bitter nor tartness (pakla) for it tastes like most atsaras but with a different feel and look.
It still has that sweet-sour taste that erupts in the mouth plus bell peppers giving color and flavour to the melange of ingredients. But one "exotic" ingredient raises the curiosity factor for this atsara and that's it - dampalit!