Cabadbaran: Puto Maya and Tsokolate/Sikwate

Cooking implements for the making of Puto Maya and Sikwate/Chocolate/ Tsokolate (Fuji Xe1 + 27mm)

When someone mentions Puto Maya it always makes me remember the warm feelings that remembering my late Aunt Deling bring. This is one thing that can immediately transport me to my (oh so distant) childhood. I remember vaguely, the old house in AD Curato, the golden afternoon light coming from the window and a lot of people bustling around in the living room (?), and my late Auntie Deling. My memory is a very fickle thing so I can't remember the specific time when that was but I remember that it made me feel nice. 

Last year, my aunt, who came from Australia for a month-long holiday, suggested we go visit Cabadbaran and have their local delicacy Puto Maya. I was excited because I want to taste this rarely partaken dessert for the first time in years. I was so happy I brought my camera too. Yay for a photo opportunity!

Puto Maya wrapped in Banana Leaves (Fuji Xe1 + 27mm)

Whenever I think of Puto Maya, aside from associating it with my Late Aunt Odelona Vargas, it also makes me think of native chocolate drink more popularly known to us (Bisaya?) as Tsokolate or sikwate-- and ripe mangoes! I always thought that puto maya should be wrapped in the green banana leaf when served. That was always what appears to me whenever they brought us Puto Maya years ago. When I was finally able to have this rice cake freshly made from the source I was quite surprised that they served it without the triangle shaped leaf covering. 

Puto Maya, hot native chocolate drink (tsokolate), and ripe mango (Samsung Note 4)

So what is puto maya? Puto maya is basically made out of rice. It's glutinous (pilit) rice cooked in coconut milk and ginger and milk. I don't know if it's a category under Suman (Budbud) or it's a different kind altogether. All I know is that Budbud although is made out of sticky rice, the variations I saw of Budbud doesn't have ginger and they are mostly shaped like a tube. Puto Maya, on the other hand, is shaped like a triangle. Like puto maya, budbud is also covered with banana leaf (mostly). 

I'm trying to lessen my intake of rice from my diet, and rice desserts and variations of, don't really get me enthusiastic. But it's my Auntie Deling's dessert (I consider it to be), and I rarely have it so I was eager enough to try it again. The taste is mild, so people usually have it paired with its usual combo: Tsokolate. This pair could really make one roll their eyes in ecstasy (okay I'm lying- a bit.) top it with mango and you'd really be in rice dessert heaven. If you're into those sort of things.

Chocolate pot and Batirol (Fuji Xe1 + 27mm)

Disclaimer: The owner of the Puto Maya and Tsokolate stall in Cabadbaran Market cried in dismay when she saw me photograph her smoke- stained cooking implements. So to provide privacy and protect her pride I won't post the exact location of the stall. When you go to Cabadbaran though, make it a point to ask around for the best puto maya and sikwate and chances are they'll point you in the right direction.

Unusual word:

Batirol- Wooden (usual), or steel mixing utensil to mix the tsokolate into frothy goodness. Also called Batidor. Follow this link for more info.

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