Comments on: This Morning at the Markets…

By: Marketman

Marketman — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 13:39:42 +0000

Marilou, I did some research. The siling mahaba or pangsigang is a bit elusive. However, local and international material refers to it as a “hotshot” or “hotpot” chilli. Since there are over 150 varieties of chillies, it is hard to pin this down…but it does appear closed to say an anaheim chilli which are described as around 4 inches long, red or green and mild to medium in flavor… I suspect the locally grown ones have evolved and lost some of their heat. If you google “siling mahaba english translation” you find some pdf reports that sight the siling mahab though they don’t go far enough to identify a scientifc name. As for the siling labuyo, it is related to say the Thai bird’s eye chillies but over several hundred years it has evolved into a smaller hotter version. I have a post on siling labuyo in my archives, type it in and keep scrolling down until you find it. I suspect the best you will get in the West is the bird’s eye chilli relative… I hope that helps.

By: Marilou

Marilou — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 13:29:42 +0000

I was wondering if you can enlighten me. I have been looking for siling haba and labuyo seeds to plant here in Ohio, but I don’t know the equivalent name in the seed catalogues. I have tried so many that look similar but unfortunately it didn’t taste the same. Thanks!

By: anonymous paul

anonymous paul — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 03:21:59 +0000

pho sounds goooooood. i almost always end up overspending when i go to the weekend markets. but where else can you get gloriously fresh produce. for green chilies, i sometimes grill/char till black then peel the skins. the soft, sweet, spicy flesh can be used for mixing in salsas, salads or eaten as is with other grilled/fried stuff. or minced with garlic, ginger patis limes and coriander for a thai inspired seafood sauce

By: Mila

Mila — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 01:50:24 +0000

ooh, i see all those ingredients and the first thing that came to mind was a pho, just add a good stock and beef or chicken or seafood.

By: Marketman

Marketman — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:58:27 +0000

Apicio, I did a lemon squares tast test…coming up in the days ahead. Maddie, yes the misono tables, a great memory from 10 years old or so…