Tortang talong

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Tortang talong
EGGPLANT TORTA.jpg Rellenong talong.jpg
Top: Tortang talong with calamansi;
Bottom: Rellenong talong from Cebu stuffed with ground meat and vegetables
Alternative namesEggplant omelette, tortalong, torta talong
Course Main course, side dish
Place of origin Philippines
Serving temperatureWarm
Main ingredients Eggplant, eggs, salt
VariationsRellenong talong
Similar dishes Poqui poqui

Tortang talong, also known as eggplant omelette, [1] is an omelette or fritter from Filipino cuisine made by pan-frying grilled whole eggplants dipped in an egg mixture. [2] [3] It is a popular breakfast and lunch meal in the Philippines. A common variant of tortang talong is rellenong talong, which is stuffed with meat, seafood, and/or vegetables.

Contents

Etymology

The name tortang talong means "eggplant omelette"; from a suffixed form of torta ("omelette" or "flat cake"), and talong (eggplant). [4] The name is sometimes shortened to tortalong. [5]

Description

The basic tortang talong recipe involves first grilling the whole eggplant until the flesh is soft and the skin becomes charred and almost black. This can be done in a charcoal grill, a baking pan, or over a direct flame while wrapped in aluminum foil (like on a gas stove). The grilling gives the eggplant a characteristic smoky flavor. The charred skin is then peeled off, although the stalk is retained. The flesh is mashed flat with a fork and dipped into a beaten egg mixture seasoned with a salt and spices to taste. The eggplant is then pan-fried until the outside is golden brown and crispy, while the core remains soft and creamy. [6] [7] [8] [9]

The most common varieties of eggplants in the Philippines are the long and slender purple kind. When larger and rounder eggplant varieties are used, the eggplant may need to be halved or quartered (with the stalk still attached) so they can be grilled more evenly. [10] [11]

Tortang talong is most commonly eaten for breakfast or lunch. It is served on white rice, sometimes accompanied with a dipping sauce (like soy sauce, vinegar, banana ketchup, etc.) or additional seasoning (like black pepper, calamansi, or chilis). It can also be served as a side dish to meat dishes. [11] [12]

Variations

A notable variant of tortang talong is rellenong talong (also spelled relyenong talong; from Spanish relleno , "stuffed"), commonly anglicized as "stuffed eggplant omelette". This version is cooked in the same way as the regular version, except that the omelette also includes various stuffings of pre-cooked meat (like minced beef or pork or longganisa ), seafood, and/or vegetables. [10] [13] [14] [15]

In some versions, the eggplant is not grilled, but is instead boiled, resulting in a softer version that lacks the characteristic smoky flavor of the original dish. [16] Non-traditional restaurant variants may also remove the stalk and puree the eggplant before mixing it with the omelette. [17]

The basic tortang talong recipe as well as rellenong talong stuffed with vegetables are considered vegetarian. [18] A vegan version can also be made using squash, flour, and tofu as an egg substitute. [19]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tortang kalabasa</span> Filipino squash omelette

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poqui poqui</span> Filipino-Ilocano dish of eggs and chopped eggplants

Poqui poqui, also spelled puke puke or puki puki, is a Filipino eggplant and scrambled eggs dish originating from the Ilocos Region of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. It is very similar to tortang talong in that the eggplant is first grilled directly on an open flame, then peeled and mashed. It is then added to ginisa and scrambled eggs. It is garnished with spring onions. It has a creamy texture and is usually eaten as a side dish to grilled fish and meat dishes, but it can also be eaten with white rice. It is believed that the name of poqui poqui may have originated from the Hawaiian dish poke due to the influx of Ilocano sugarcane workers to Hawaii during the American colonization of the Philippines, although they are very different dishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tortang sardinas</span> Filipino omelette

Tortang sardinas, also known as tortang tinapa, sardines omelette, or tinapa fritters, is a Filipino omelette made by mixing shredded tinapa with eggs. It can also include tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt, ground black pepper, minced spring onions, and/or flour, as well as various other ingredients. It typically uses canned sardines, which comes with a tomato sauce which may or may not also be included. It is commonly regarded as a very cheap and easy meal to prepare, with a reputation similar to instant noodles. It is usually eaten for breakfast with white rice and banana ketchup. It can also be eaten as a sandwich with pandesal bread.

Kulawo is a Filipino salad made with either minced banana blossoms or grilled eggplants cooked in coconut milk that is distinctively extracted from grated coconut meat toasted on live coals. It is a pre-colonial dish that originates from the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. Kulawo is a type of kilawin and ginataan. It is fully vegan and has a unique smoky taste that has been compared to smoked meat or fish dishes.

References

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  16. "Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelette)". Foxy Folksy. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
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  18. "Tortang Talong with Quorn Grounds". Quorn. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
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