Care for some ampalaya gelato? yes heard read it right, it's ampalaya, amargoso (for the Ilonggos) or bittergourd. Infamous for it's bitterness, the ampalaya has found its to teaste the sweet palate of the Ilonggos. The gelato brand Mokkilato through Nothing But Desserts here in Iloilo has come up with several new and local flavours that include luya (ginger), guyabano, santol, chessa, luyang dilaw (turmeric), langka and ampalaya.
The lure discovering how something bitter would be transformed into a dessert is a big curiosity to be satisfied. So this ampalaya gelato was one of the first I tried. No hints of bitterness from my first until the last scoop - yup I finished it. Though when having the actual bits of the bittergourd, I sort of tasted hints of guava skin - lol. But in the end even those who never liked or tasted ampalaya will surely find this bitter vegetable a refreshingly sweet experience.
Nothing But Desserts is located at The Avenue Complex in Smallville, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. It is open daily around 12nn until 12midnight.