Puto balanghoy is a native delicacy in Cebu is a delicious snack that is healthy and cheap. This native delicacy is made by steaming a mixture of grated cassava and coconut and topped with a sprinkle of muscovado sugar. I remember my mother used to bring me these from the church whenever I’m home in Cebu.
Estrella’s livelihood
For Estrella Bucao, 39, she remembers growing up as a child, her mother selling these native delicacy in Cebu. Mao kini ang nagpa eskuela sa amo (this is what supported us through school), she beams with pride as she tended a batch of four puto balanghoy cooking atop her makeshift steamer. After she checked these, she grabbed one by one and freed the cakes from their coconut shell mold as she prepared another batch.
The yellowish native cakes, hot from the steamer is just delicious to look at. Early batches are neatly lined packed in plastic atop a small table. Compared to biko, another type of native cake, its not as oily. It’s sweetness is only attributed to the melted muscovado sugar on top. Complex carbohydrates from the cassava and coconut provides energy. One piece is so filling.
This roadside puto balanghoy stall beside the church in my hometown sells for just P5.00 and available during afternoons.
