Camote cue facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Camotecue, kamote cue, camote fritters |
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| Region or state | Philippines |
| Main ingredients | sweet potato, brown sugar, cooking oil |
Camote cue is a yummy and popular snack food from the Philippines. It's made from slices of camote, which is the Filipino word for sweet potato. These sweet potato slices are coated in brown sugar and then fried until they are golden brown and the sugar turns into a sweet, sticky caramel. You'll often find camote cue sold by street vendors, making it a favorite street food alongside other treats like bananacue and turon.
What is Camote Cue?
Camote cue is a simple yet delicious snack. It's known for its sweet taste and soft texture from the cooked sweet potato, combined with the slightly crunchy, caramelized sugar coating. It's a quick and easy treat that many people in the Philippines enjoy, whether for a quick bite or as a dessert.
How is it Made?
Making camote cue is quite straightforward. First, sweet potatoes are peeled and sliced into thick pieces. Then, these slices are tossed in brown sugar to give them a nice coating. After that, they are deep-fried in hot cooking oil. As the sweet potatoes cook, the sugar melts and turns into a delicious, shiny caramel that sticks to the outside of each slice. This process makes the camote cue sweet and slightly crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.
Why is it Called "Cue"?
The name "camote cue" is a portmanteau, which means it's a word made by blending two other words. It comes from "camote" (sweet potato) and "barbecue". In the Philippines, the word "barbecue" often refers to food that is served on a skewer or stick, even if it's not cooked over a grill like traditional barbecue. Camote cue is usually served on bamboo sticks, which makes it easy to hold and eat while you're walking around. So, even though it's fried and not grilled, it gets the "cue" part of its name from being served on a stick, just like many other street foods.
Where Can You Find It?
Camote cue is one of the most common and beloved street foods you'll find in the Philippines. It's often sold by vendors from carts or small stalls, especially near schools, markets, and busy streets. It's a popular choice for an afternoon snack or a quick treat on the go. You'll often see it displayed right next to other popular Filipino fried snacks like bananacue (caramelized bananas on a stick) and turon (fried banana spring rolls).
