Apan-Apan Recipe (Adobong Kangkong water spinach with Pork) (2024)

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Apan-Apan is a best-loved popular food in the Visayan province and it is said that the dish is closest to Adobong Kangkong which is well known in Tagalog region.

It can be served as side dish, starter or main entrée.

The cooking method is almost the same as Adobong Kangkong but Apan-Apan is more appetizing and very pleasing to the sense of taste because of Ginamos or Bagoong and just like Adobo, the variations of this dish varies extensively but simple to make.

The procedure usually starts with the sautéing of garlic and onions and then by adding Ginamos.

Apan-Apan Recipe Tips and Preparation

If you want to make it spicy in taste, you can add chili or even add slices of pork, beef or tofu for a tastier version.

I can say that this adobo kind is savory and goes perfectly with fried dishes such as fish or pork chop with plenty of white steamed rice.

It was believed that the word “Apan-Apan” came from the Ilonggo’s and Hiligaynon’s dialect which actually means Grasshopper.

During those times when rice fields were still pesticide free, farmers would catch grasshoppers infesting crops with their large nets and then they will cook these insects for finger foods being paired with their alcoholic drinks or sometimes as a dish for dinner with the family.

How it became associated with Adobong Kangkong is somewhat unclear except probably that grasshopper resembles the appearance of the Kangkong.

Check out how to cook laswa as well

The leaves of these vegetables contain an abundant quantity of vitamins and minerals found to be very nutritious.

It is also a good source of dietary fiber, protein, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C and the stem is rich in amino acid.

It basically belongs to herbaceous aquatic plant which means that they have no persistent woody stem above ground or semi-aquatic perennial plant that can be found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Its leaves are also used in herbal medicine to cure fever, for the treatment of intestinal worms, liver problems as well as gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

It also treats ulcer because it contains flavonoids for increasing production of protective mucus that covers the body organs.

How can anyone call it a “poor man’s vegetable?” when there is nothing poor with its numerous health benefits!

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Also check out this Easy way to cook Adobong Kangkong, a Recipe with water spinach