Alugbati

Whenever people ask me if I like vegetables, I tell them "any vegetable, except alugbati."  A big question mark then appears on their faces.

Alugbati, alugbate, Malabar spinach, Malabar nightshade, phooi leaf, red vine spinach, creeping spinach, climbing spinach - they are all the same plant. Scientifically known as Basella alba, this vine is mainly used as a leaf vegetable. We have the 'rubra' cultivar, the one having a purple stem, in our backyard

When cooked, it has a slimy consistency that reminds of detergent bar soaked in water. To those who are wondering how alugbati looks like, here is a picture:

.

"Bahay Kubo" Song to a Botanist

Bahay Kubo is a folk song that is well-known among Filipinos of all ages and walks of life. The song describes a nipa hut surrounded by vegetables. Following are the lyrics:    

Bahay kubo, kahit munti,
ang halaman doon ay sari-sari:
singkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani,
sitaw, bataw, patani,

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa,
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya.
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

Here is my English translation of the famous song: