Pichi-pichi facts for kids
   Clockwise from the top: Pitsi-pitsi with latik and cheese, Pitsi-pitsi with coconut, Pitsi-pitsi with cheese
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| Alternative names | Pitsi-pitsî |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature |
| Main ingredients | Coconut milk, cassava, lye, sugar |
| Variations | Topped with cheese and/or latik, rolled in grated coconut |
Pichi-pichi, also known as pitsi-pitsi, is a yummy Filipino dessert. It's made from soft, steamed balls of cassava flour. These balls are mixed with sugar and a special ingredient called lye. Sometimes, it gets a nice smell from pandan leaves.
Before you eat it, pichi-pichi is often rolled in fresh, grated coconut. You can also find it topped with grated cheese or a sweet coconut caramel called latik. It's a popular treat in the Philippines.
Contents
What is Pichi-pichi?
Pichi-pichi is a chewy, jelly-like dessert. It's famous for its unique texture and sweet taste. The main ingredient, cassava, is a root vegetable. It's very common in tropical countries.
Similar Filipino Treats
There are other Filipino dishes that are a bit like pichi-pichi.
Putli Mandi
One is called putli mandi. This dessert comes from the Tausug and Yakan people. It looks very similar to pichi-pichi. The main difference is that putli mandi has a sweet filling. This filling is made from sweetened coconut strips, called hinti.
Palitaw
Another similar treat is palitaw. However, palitaw is made from glutinous rice flour. It's also shaped differently. Instead of balls, palitaw is made into thin, flat cakes.
How Pichi-pichi is Made
Making pichi-pichi is a fun process. It involves a few simple steps.
Preparing the Cassava
First, the cassava root is peeled. Then, it is grated into tiny pieces. After grating, the cassava is washed well. This helps to clean it and prepare it for cooking.
Mixing and Steaming
The grated cassava is then mixed with water and sugar. A small amount of lye is also added. Lye is a special ingredient that helps give pichi-pichi its chewy texture. The mixture is then poured into pans or molds. These molds are placed in a steamer. The pichi-pichi steams until it becomes soft and fully cooked.
Serving Pichi-pichi
Once the pichi-pichi is cooked, it's ready to be served. People often roll the warm pichi-pichi in freshly grated coconut. Other popular toppings include grated cheese or latik. Sometimes, cooks add food coloring to the mixture. This makes the pichi-pichi look even more colorful and appealing!
