I remember way back in high school that when the month of March comes, our gastronomical tripping during break time would be panandiya. Rooting from the word sandiya which is the local term for pakwan (watermelon), it loosely refers to "going places (just) to eat watermelon".
We would traverse a bridge over the Jaro River and find ourselves in a plantation of watermelons. There, a number of native huts would sell watermelons and some even have benches to cater to those wanting to eat fresh sandiya right then and there.
I also got to discover a weird way of eating watermelon - with salt. Never before have I seen anyone eating sandiya with salt. I was hesitant at first but when I tried it, it was then I knew why some they did it. It made the watermelon more flavourful and a lot sweeter.
The fact that salt is a flavour enhancer is the most probable explanation. But I didn't get addicted to that habit yet from time to time I reminisce those days by adding salt to my watermelon.
PS If Ilonggos would go panandiya, what would Tagalogs do? Obviously "mag pa kwan" - lol.
I also got to discover a weird way of eating watermelon - with salt. Never before have I seen anyone eating sandiya with salt. I was hesitant at first but when I tried it, it was then I knew why some they did it. It made the watermelon more flavourful and a lot sweeter.
The fact that salt is a flavour enhancer is the most probable explanation. But I didn't get addicted to that habit yet from time to time I reminisce those days by adding salt to my watermelon.
PS If Ilonggos would go panandiya, what would Tagalogs do? Obviously "mag pa kwan" - lol.