Monday, August 20, 2012

Ebun Barag: Not Your Usual Egg Hunt


My mom and aunt decided to go on an egg hunt last weekend, and both were determined to bring back some unusual and truly exotic eggs. They were after Ebun Barag, monitor lizard eggs, and according to them, this was the season. I decided to come along and join them in their adventure, and off we go...and after an hour and half's drive, we arrive at San Fernando, Pampanga.


A quick stop at my Aunt's ancestral home, and we resume the search for the seasonal eggs. I've never tried Ebun Barag before, but I thought this would be an interesting road trip. Both my mom and aunt reminisced about their childhood and the pleasures of Ebun Barag, and encouraged me to give it a try, at least once. But just thinking about it gave me goosebumps, anything reptilian just gives me the creeps. I mean, seriously, I think even Andrew Zimmern  just might blink on this. But then again, maybe not. 



And finally, we've reached my aunt's supplier of Ebun Barag. Tightly packed in newspapers, a pack was slowly unwrapped, and there it was. So how does one enjoy this bizarre culinary treat? Rice and fish sauce. But first, the eggs have to be prepared right. Start by boiling the eggs for at least 20 minutes, and then place under running water for around 10 minutes. Once the shells harden, it's ready. And with freshly cooked hot rice, simply squeeze the egg on the rice and and add some fish sauce.


And how did it taste? I wouldn't know, I chickened out at the last minute. Maybe after a couple of beers...maybe not even after a couple of beers, just totally wimped out on this one.


Like any road trip, the journey for me is the real adventure, and the destination just caps the experience. As for Ebun Barag, I'll eventually give it a try. Maybe next season...or the next.

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8 comments:

  1. I'm really curious with how the eggs taste like!!! the shells doesn't crack? does it also have a yellow yolk in the middle?

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    1. Hi Jay, the shells are soft and don't crack. From what I saw, there's no yolk. They usually just squeeze the egg on rice. I didn't have the guts to try it though...

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    2. haha...did it really looked or smelled awful for you not to taste it? are the eggs hard to find or was it available in public markets?

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    3. hey Jay, it didn't smell or look bad at all, I guess I just wasn't ready. These are seasonal and very hard to find, and only available through local suppliers. I'll probably give it a go next season...

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  2. Sad that you didn't taste it! :( My mom is from Pampanga and she let us taste this egg. I wimped out a bit at the start too but she said that the egg is expensive and hard to get so I gave in and didn't regret it! I eat them now whenever I we have it at home

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    1. Hi since307, I should definitely give it another go, maybe next season...thanks for stopping by!

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  3. i thought it was pandesal at first hahaha! :) i'm curious how it looks like inside..

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    1. hey Berylle, well, from a distance, it looked creamy, like mayo. I just wimped out on actually trying it...

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