"Ensaladang Ampalaya" (Bitter Gourd Salad)

I will understand if some readers will freak out about ampalaya owing to its bitter taste. The ensaladang ampalaya (bitter gourd salad), however is an appetizer that puts a new twist to the bitter vegetable. The addition of bagoong (fish paste) appears to neutralize the bitterness with the right combination of saltiness and savory. Being an example of umami food, sliced tomatoes enhance the savory taste of this easy-to-prepare salad. A bit of spiciness is imparted by a dash of ground black pepper.

Never underestimated to be underestimated is the nutritional value of the salad. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database, bitter gourd addresses 13% of the daily recommended allowance of folate and 40% for Vitamin C. Of course the other ingredients have also nutritional merits. On the other hand the Philippine Department of Health recommended the use of ampalaya for alleviating type-2 diabetes.