Travel Food Trip: The Original Vigan Empanada of Ilocos Sur

Traveling is fun, but it is more fun to travel if you get to taste and eat the delicacies of the places you’ve gone to. So, I embraced that kind of fun when I went to Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The Vigan people loves vegetables in their cuisine that is why they made this dish.

One of the very popular delicacies in Ilocos Sur is the VIGAN EMPANADA.

BATAC/LAOAG EMPANADA(credits to the owner of this photo)

VIGAN EMPANADA

In Manila, I have tasted the orange-colored empanada and according to the folks in Vigan, if the color of the empanada is orange it is the BATAC or LAOAG EMPANADA from Ilocos Norte and if the color is light yellow in color, it is the Original VIGAN EMPANADA from Ilocos Sur.

I visited 2 stores of VIGAN EMPANADA…

Outside BALUARTE, along the souvenir shops. It will not be hard for you to find the store because they are the only store selling VIGAN EMPANADA ther. Price: Php35

The Vigan Empanadahan near Vigan City Plaza. (credits to the owner of the last photo)

Do you want to learn how to make one? here’s how…(source: Kusina 101)

Ingredients:

Filling:

4pcs. Vigan Longganisa
2 large unripe green papaya
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Crust:
1/4 kilo ground rice(galapong)
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg
atsuete to add color.

Preparation and Cooking Procedures:

1. Mix ingredients in a bowl and knead dough lightly.

2. Take about a 2-3 tablespoon of dough and flatten with rolling pin.

3. Set aside while you make your filling. Before you make your filling preheat your deep fryer by adding the cooking oil and set aside.

4 . In another skillet pan sauté garlic and onions in oil. Add longganisa sausage and season with salt and pepper to desired. When sausage is cooked put in a bowl and mix it a little to cool it down. Wait 2-3 minutes and mix in grated papaya.

5. Spoon out 2-3 tablespoon of filling to flattened dough and crack a piece of fresh egg. Seal the sides anddeep fry in the preheated deep fryer.

6 . Place Empanadas in a plate topped with plenty of paper towels to blot oil. Serve in another clean platter and with sweet chili dip or garlic vinegar on the side.

Thats it!, now you know already how to prepare and cook VIGAN Empanada. Enjoy Eating!!!