Learning Something New Today- Lechon with Cacti Leaves

I learned something new today. This is from the Facebook Page of Kyle ( Becoming Filipino). I am happy to share it with you. I have enjoyed Lechon for many decades, but this is the first time I heard it cooked with Cactus Leaves. Attached is an article from the FaceBook, Becoming Filipino.

https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingFilipino

CACTUS STUFFED LECHON! What an awesome spontaneous find here in Bangued, Abra...

It was morning, and I happened to walk past a vendor selling this classic Filipino roasted pig. It was then I heard:

"Lechon sir?"

After a second of hesitation... I realized I'd never tried lechon in Abra before. So why not!? I asked for 1/4kg. As Manong went to work chopping it up, I noticed there was a whole lot of green bits coming out from the meat. Turns out, it was a local cactus called "Karimbuaya".

Cactus leaves stuffed into lechon?

Yes! And does it ever add amazing flavor! You do not need any sauce whatsoever with this lechon... I can't quite describe the taste of the karimbuaya, but it has a slight "green oniony salty twang" to it. I couldn't stop eating it! I wanted karimbuaya on every bite of the lechon... it was that good!

This could very well be one of the top ten lechons I have ever tasted! It was called "Jlens Lechon", cooked by Manong and Manang. My new goal later this year?

Have a karimbuaya lechon hangout in Abra. Seriously, it is like a secret weapon for seasoning! I actually saw the plant outside a house... it seems to just grow in different areas of this Province?

Karimbuaya Cactus Plant

Thank You, Kulas for enlightening me of the various ways to taste/cook lechon. This is an example of the saying, "You are never too old to learn something new".

Meanwhile, here's my quote for the Day

Lastly, I planning to indulge myself with these two dishes this weekend via Door Dash

Filipino Food is Fifteen Minutes Away from My Front Door

I renewed my DoorDash membership last month. I can order any ethnic foods and preferably my favorite Pinoy dishes any time. Last Sunday, I ordered Dungeness Crab in Garlic Butter from Crab Boil & Things in Concord. 

Yesterday, I ordered Lechon Belly and Turon from Imas Kitchen also in Concord ( see photo above). I have to pay a distance fee, since these restaurants are not in Walnut Creek. The Distance fee is reasonable. However I usually add a reasonable tip for the delivery person.  I ordered food usually on Sunday's when THD Newton's Restaurant is closed.     

There are several restaurants in Concord and other East Bay areas, where I could order Filipino Food. It is a shame that Walnut Creek has no Filipino restaurant.  Here are the restaurants where you could order Filipino dishes and is serviced by DoorDash. 

Goldilocks, Isla Restaurant, Isla Grand Restaurant, Oriental Food Market, Grill City, Imas, Chow King, Mama's Lumpia, and Red Ribbon Bakeshop.  Most of these restaurants are located at the Sea Food City Mall in Concord. Sea Food City Mall is just across the Veranda Shopping Mall. 

The above restaurants are good for To Go Orders. If you need more ambience, Try the FOB Philippine Restaurant in the Temescal District of Oakland.  Last year I organized a THD Lunch Excursion. It was a gastronomic delight. I am hoping that this year THD may be able to organize a repeat lunch excursion at FOB in the next few months or so. 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/lunch-at-fob-kitchen-gastronomic-delight.html

Meanwhile,  I made the left-over lechon from lunch into paksiw that I eat for Dinner with Steam rice. Here's the recipe for lechon-paksiw. 

https://www.foxyfolksy.com/lechon-paksiw/ 

 Lastly, here is a map of Europe's Culinary Horror, 2013

However, I love tripe soup, blood pudding, liver paste, Pressed Ducks and Frog Legs and Dressed Herring. How about you? Do you have an adventurous palate ? Or are you just a plain meat and potato person?  Most people are!!!