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| Batanes' Specialty - Coconut Crab |
Undoubtedly, the star of Batanes cuisine is this fierce-looking arthropod locally known as Tatus. It is a crab but it looks more like a spider with its longer limbs and a sac at the rear end housing its aligue. It is usually cooked steamed or sauteed in sauce such as sweet chili or butter and garlic. However, the best was of cooking it according to my newly-found Ivatan friends is to cook it with fresh coconut juice.
I was served Steamed Tatus in Coconut Sauce. I thought Tatus will taste like Alimango but no, it has its own distinct flavor with a faint taste of coconut milk. I thought it was because of the coconut juice in the meal but I gather that Tatus has penchants for coconut that mainly form part of its diet.
The best parts of Tatus are its huge pincers with its thick juicy meat. However, foodies with high blood pressure must beware thou because each Tatus has huge deposit of fats or aligue. One might be tempted to mix it all in steamed rice but again, do it in moderation.
Note: According to this site, coconut crabs are listed as endangered species and "it shall be unlawful for any
person, natural or juridical, to
take or catch or cause to be taken
or caught such fishery/aquatic
species". This order, although way back 2001, was not yet lifted so you have to be wary of either taking or catching them. But eating them? Let me ask you this, "if your friendly Ivatan folks offered these sumptuous treat for you, will you decline?" Well, your answer is good as mine!
I have eaten this one - I'm not quite sure if it's here abroad or way back in Pinas - but my mind made me believe that it was here when I have tried it. It wasn't cooked the way I was cooked there in Batanes - but it tasted great. And yes, I'm very careful indulging for some more because of its rich "aligue" which high amount of cholesterol. I don't have history of any high blood pressure but I just don't want that the experience would lead me to visit a nearby clinic to test my blood pressure.
ReplyDeleteI'd wish one day to try the Ivatan way of preparing it. What's more enticing is the coconut milk that added to its flavorful finish. Enjoy your stay and keep us updated :) :)
The "aligue" is quite tempting but I muster enough will not to give in because I have a history of hypertension. Kailangan din na mag-ingat. Pero I had great time finishing the juicy meat :)
DeleteErratum: "the way it was cooked / which houses high amount of cholesterol
ReplyDeleteits ok jay, we sometimes think faster than we type so errors are all but natural. guilty ako sa mga ganyang errors :)
DeleteYummy, it is a rice magnet. Extra rice please.
ReplyDeleteextra rice, coming up :)
DeleteHindi naman bawal kainin yan dito sa Batanes kasi marami dito nyan lalo na sa Itbayat.
ReplyDeletethe order is not yet repealed so technically bawal pa rin pero tatanggi ka ba pag hinainan ka ng host mo?
DeleteThat looks tasty. Now I am craving for Chili Crabs.
ReplyDeleteluto ka na, then invite me :)
DeleteI do read somewhere that Coconut Crabs are endangered so it is prohibited to eat them. Will you be jailed if you do?
ReplyDeleteworst case scenario, you will. but I do not think it will ever happen :)
DeleteAre these considered exotic? You mentioned kasi na it looks more like a spider. As I remembered, spiders are exotic food in some countries.
ReplyDeletenot really because crabs are more of a delicacy although it's look may make it exotic. :)
ReplyDelete