Today we are going to talk about one of my favorite steet foods: Pastil.
Also spelled as pastel in Maguindanaon,
patel or pater in Maranao, and paster in Iranun, it is a meal that consists of rice and viand that is rolled in a banana leaf.
patel or pater in Maranao, and paster in Iranun, it is a meal that consists of rice and viand that is rolled in a banana leaf.
I think one of the main reason why this certain street food is a favorite of mine, and probably for many Filipinos, is because of its affordability. For a fair price, you can enjoy a cheap but tasty meal that will make you to want more.
A blog article by Edgie Polistico (2010) explains the process on how this meal is made:
“A scoop (about a cup) of steamed or boiled plain rice is placed on the center of a spread of banana leaf and topped with shreds or flakes of sautéed meat or fish called kagikit.
The cut of banana leaf is wilted first in fire or ember to soften and make it a pliant wrapper.
The scoop of cooked rice is then molded by folding the banana leaf. Before finally wrapping the rice, it is topped with kagikit(sautéed shredded meat) usually that of shredded meat of braised fish or chicken. Then the leaf is finally rolled around the topped rice. It is sealed by folding both ends similar to that of suman (Tagalog rice stick), only that pastil is wider and flatter in shape than that of suman.
Special version of pastil has more meat, plus a hard-boiled chicken egg (shelled and cut into halves) as toppings, and the rice is mixed with little amount of glutinous rice that would bind well the molded meal.”
Whether eating it with bare hands or with utensils, this meal will never fail to satisfy your hunger anywhere and anytime of the day.
Drexie's Diner 