May 19, 2007

Photo Hunt 11: Cooked/Cooking


PSHunt






Squidballs is one of the fun foods that I really enjoy. It's popular here in the Philippines. There are food carts and kiosks in almost all of the malls here selling dimsum including fish and squidballs. I read in one website, which I cannot remember right now the address, that there will be a squash-enriched squidball to promote a healthier 'pig-out' food. Most prefer to dip these in chili sauce but some opt for banana sauce which is a little sweet.

These meatballs are of Chinese origin. Fishballs were the first to become popular in this country since it's cheaper and it used to be classified as a street food, meaning, it was peddled by ambulant vendors in various communities like residential areas, schools, even near office establishments. They still do but as its popularity became strong, we saw a lot of improvement as how it was prepared and how it was presented. Squidballs followed suit. It made its entry too in the 'go and grab' food category. As we know these meatballs are often a part of hotpots, it's chewy characteristic is a good match for noodles. There are a lot of things we can do with these squidballs - can be soup or curry, there's even squidball ramen.

One can buy ready-to-fry frozen squiballs in supermarkets. Or you can DIY if you're that patient. :)

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I think I have to elaborate some more about squidballs. :) Based on some comments, they are thought of as something else, like literally squid balls. Squidballs are made of squid meat wrapped in flour and egg for some, a little of salt and some spices. This is the generic way to do it but click here for some Chinese Squidballs recipe if anyone's interested. :)

47 comments:

-tnchick- said...

I've saw some pretty interesting foods!! This is one... but yuck - not for my taste. I imagine if I enjoyed seafood, etc I may eat it... when I hear squidballs I think of the Navy LOL I suppose being a Navy wife for 11 years will do that to a girl. hehe

Ladynred said...

Looks masarap. Hindi pa ako nakatikim nyan!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing, Lynn. I wonder if you could share me the banana sauce recipe since my Dad LOVES bananas? :)

Thanks for visiting my photo hunt today!

PastormacsAnn said...

Um, I'd have to say I'll pass on the squidballs. Just don't think I could bring myself to try one.

Nice choice for The Hunt though.

srp said...

I think I've seen some of these at a buffet here. Not sure about this form but squid in the form of Calamari rings is fabulous... Red Lobster has them and most seafood restaurants here. The best ones I ever had were in Florence, Italy!

Lynn said...

TNCHICK, PASTORMAC'S ANN, I think I was not able to elaborate about the squidballs. But I've posted about it. It tastes good especially when cooked well to rinse off the "fishy smell".

Lynn said...

LADYNRED, Really? I guess you did not grow up here in the Philippines then. :) It tastes good. :)

Lynn said...

GABRIELLE, I actually buy banana sauce here. But here's a link where
you can follow banana sauce making.

http://mis.dost.gov.ph/itdi/services/
rtid/publication/techno-pangkabuhayan/
banana/banana%20sauce.htm

SRP, You are correct. We call it here calamares, a breaded deep-fried squid ring. :)

Anonymous said...

Lynn, my children love squidballs. Whenever we go to UP they always ask us to buy squidballs and they so love it with the sweet sauce. I love the spicy sauce.

have a great weekend!

Heart of Rachel said...

I love squidballs! I remember when I was still working in Ayala, I would go down with my colleagues to eat squidballs from "manong" who is our "suki". It's quite an amuzing sight. People in business attire, heels and all, making "tusok tusok". LoL! I hope I made you laugh with that one. :)

Gattina said...

I think I never tasted it, we also have these kind of balls but with other ingredients. It's always funny to have some if you are hungry and just on the street!

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Interesting! I had never heard of squidballs before! Thanks for sharing. :)

jmb said...

I don't know about this one. An acquired taste perhaps?

letha said...

Never had these before, not sure I'd like them but I'll try anything at least once.

Daisy said...

I think I would LOVE squidballs. Yep.

Anonymous said...

In singapore, we called this squidballs as Sotong Ball. I love it too. For a stick of 4 squidballs, its cost only SG $1.

ipanema said...

This is delicious guys! Dip it in that chilli sauce and you're done! Miss ko fishball! :)

MsCarolM said...

Hmmm... sounds interesting. I'll have to try them one day. I like calamari, and these sound good!

Lazy Daisy said...

I know Mr. Wonderful would be intriqued. He loves squid!

A. said...

I've never had those either but I'd love to try them. I love calamari so I'm sure I'd love these too. It's so wonderful to find out about food from other countries.

Thanks for visiting mine :)

Anonymous said...

Do you have to pry their little legs apart to get them? ;)

j/k... Not my taste, but interesting to see...

Anonymous said...

I love squid balls or fish balls. Living in Malaysia, we get to try lots of tasty fish dishes - yum :)

I love the picture of the squid balls frying up!

The Daily Matters said...

hi lynn, thanks for stopping by!

yes, you guessed it right I'm a Filipino.

your squidballs make me drool. i've been missing this kind of food for quite sometime now. reminds me of home.

on the Rock said...

Mmmm:)

Anonymous said...

I've never had squidballs but I really want to try them. Great job on the theme.

soccer mom in denial said...

I've never had them either but they do look delicious. Thanks for the later explanation.

Anonymous said...

well I am sure it is tasty but at present after all the salmon rue eggs I will pass this fried delicacy.

Anonymous said...

i love squid balls too :) as for yr comment on my blog i didnt realize it was a hot pot dish..yes, u r right it will taste even better in a hot pot

Patricia said...

How interesting, Lynn. I look calamari, so I might enjoy this, as well.

Thanks for stopping by Pollywog Creek. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Anonymous said...

waaaaaah... miss ko na yan di bale nasa asian shop yan hanapin ko heheh...

thanks for dropping by ulit!

Jennifer said...

Ok, well, that looked good, until I read what it was! Sorry, I think I'll pass! But great photos!

bonggamom said...

I never have the courage to eat the fishballs and squid balls from the street vendors -- who knows how old the cooking oil is -- but dirty ice cream is the best!

Anonymous said...

In all honesty, I think I'll pass on the squidballs. However, that first picture with the water boiling is great!

Anonymous said...

Great photos! I've never heard of those, but I'd be willing to give them a try. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

It's 2am and those photos made my tummy grumble hehe.
Like Rach, I used to go down to the side of the street in Makati where I worked to join a crowd of officemates tusok-ing the squid balls LOL i miss that!

Smalltown RN said...

I am not sure if I could do the squid ball thing...I do like squid...but not sure if I could do those...but thanks for introductings me to them...

Cheers...and happy hunting

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

Great photos!
Happy Hunting :)

tapps said...

those look amazing! maybe my aunt (who's originally from the philippines) can get some of those for me... mmm.. that sounds so yummy. :-)

Samantha & Mom said...

We would like squidballs. Yummy. Meow. Picture makes us try to eat them from the screen. Have a wonderful weekend.
Samantha, Tigger and Mom

Crazy Working Mom said...

Since I live in the south of the US we love everything deep fried. We've deep fried twinkies, oreos, ice cream, etc. I think those would be yummy! Pass 'em along.
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Patty said...

I dont think I would like the taste of those, but it makes for an interesting photo. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Biker Betty said...

Your first photo is very cool looking. It almost looks like there's a light in the oil. It's neat seeing all the different foods people like. Have a great weekend.

eastcoastlife said...

When I was in Manila, I don't see these squid balls? Would have liked to try one.
I'm from Singapore.

GEWELS said...

I love squid. Too funny that some thought the balls of squid were used. HAHA.I'll have to try and find those next time I buy a whole squid.
The first photo, especially, is gorgeous - what with the boiling oil.

YTSL said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. And funny to see that your entry mentions hotpot too... :)

Mama Duck said...

Wow, I'm not sure I could bring myself to try them but they are certainly interesting!

Anonymous said...

ako i love squid balls. am interested about those with squash. sana it will taste just as good para sa mga anak ko.