Pinoy Spaghetti

By: Aeron Lancero

 

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat. And there is big news in the Chicagoland area… It’s been news for almost two years but it is now official. Jollibee is coming to town. I am sure everyone is excited to try it and they are opening multiple locations. And I do hope my fellow Fil-Ams will support it. I know it’s a big box concept but it is Pinoy, and I can only encourage that supporting fellow pinoys continue to push our culture and our people to everyone around the world. I am sure many of us do ok, but if we continue to connect and support one another, we as a culture and people can do so much more. Well enough of my political antics… With all the elections going on between our homeland the Philippines and our homeland the U.S.A, I just could not resist feeling political at times.

Although my article is about a special dish that is popular in America but we have our version to boot. This dish is also a very popular dish in the upcoming Filipino fast food chain coming to Illinois. Do you know what it is… Some may be thinking the Chicken Joy but it’s not that, maybe our versions of burgers, nope, sorry, it is the famous or infamous, like some bloggers have posted is actually a favorite of mine, both styles and that is SPAGHETTI… Obviously ours is very different.

How so, well for some who have not tried it or for some who have. The first difference is we typically use ground pork… We use the other fundamentals like garlic, onions, oil, the actual spaghetti pasta, and tomatoes but what makes ours stand out is that we use banana sauce which is our ketchup, hot dogs (my favorite) and a different cheese. The dish is sweet with a little salty and the color is usually more on the pink side.

My wife actually cooks this dish and my kids and I enjoy it. It is another staple dish especially for kids’ parties. Obviously, it has been criticized often but it’s our dish and many eat it proudly. I have a standard recipe below and a few quotes from other bloggers that share their comments.

After you read this and want to try, you can either make it or go to one place in Chicagoland that comes very close to what I remember is made in the Philippines and also enjoy it.

The place is called Sariling Atin, and it is located at 8702 W Golf Rd, Niles, IL 60714. They have it in their steam table or individually packed, so you can take home and heat up. Here is a standard recipe so you can try it…

300 grams spaghetti noodles
250 grams minced pork
3 hotdogs, chopped
600 grams tomato puree
2 cups of banana sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, minced
1 onion, minced
1 tablespoon parsley, minced
Half red capsicum, chopped
1 teaspoons of white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
Shredded queso (Filipino cheese)

Procedures: Cook your noodles in boiling water with salt and oil. Once completed which should be based on your liking. “El dente” is not a typical texture but do not overcook. Once cooked, shook the noodles so it does not stick together.

To make the sauce: Cook your pork and leverage the grease from the pork, try not to add oil. Once the pork is getting brown and the grease is a good amount, place your onions and garlic next and once you see it browning and onions getting translucent add your carrots, put in your tomato puree, banana ketchup and tomato paste. Mix well and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat, then place your capsicum and hot dogs. Let it simmer a few minutes then add sugar, stir well then taste. Add your salt and pepper while mixing then taste to your preference.

Once you like your sauce take your spaghetti and mix with sauce. Top with your shredded queso.

Look, I know there are people out there who will say why… This is a dish that should be made and eaten correctly, for me being a restaurateur and a person who enjoys food; I say why not. Reality is, there are many versions of Spaghetti across America and the world. Ours is distinctive for sure and am proud to share with you, my fellow Fil-Ams, and anyone else I have the privilege of knowing.

It has truly been an honor and pleasure sharing with you all. Maraming salamat! Till next month… A very meaningful quote: Genuine Virtue consists of being charitable, loving one’s fellow men and being judicious in behavior, speech and deed. –Emilio Jacinto