by Eliza Milagros A. Rivera

Hear ye! Make your visit to Ilocos Norte worth-cherishing and memorable by bringing home a stuff or two that you can gladly share with your family and friends.

Crunchy ukoy (Shrimp Fritter)

Try the extra crunchy ukoy produced by Ukoy Queen Ruth Aguinaldo of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. Her store is located at the old market’s food court. Believe it. Her ukoy stays crunchy even after a few days! In fact, her fritters are even brought abroad as pasalubong. What delights someone’s tastebud is the tasty shrimps- main ingredient. For those who haven’t tasted yet, ukoy is crispy deep-fried fritters made with flour, dried “kuros” and various vegetables. Dip the ukoy into the vinegar and enjoy the contrasting taste of sourness and saltiness. Price: P200 per tub.

Longganisa

Bring home a kilo or more of the Filipino sausage- longganisa. Theirs are typically made with ground pork and seasoned with a lot of garlic and spices. To cook it, simmer it in water and fry it until it becomes brown. Some of the best longanisa sellers are from Bgy. Buttong, Laoag City and San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. Price: 350 per kilo.

Sukang Iloko

Your pork adobo becomes more appetizing when sukang Iloko is used as a key ingredient. It creates a different and tangy flavor that whets someone’s tastebuds! Bgy. 48 Cabungaan, Laoag City produces one of the best sukang Iloko in the province. They are available at sari-sari stores in this barangay and in some residences where the family members make their own cane vinegar for their consumption and for selling. Aside from Cabungaan, there are also vinegar produced in Bgy. Bacsil, Laoag City. It costs about P 90- 100 per liter!

Bagnet

Ginisang monggo is more enticing when you sauté it with a crispy bagnet. Try our Ilocos bagnet that is obviously flavorful. This famous bagnet is cooked the Ilocano way. Explore the markets of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and Laoag City for you to select from an array of bagnet in big chunks-sometimes a piece is about a kilogram. Price: 600 per kilo. Have no second thought! It is worth the price after all.

Empanada

Grab a hot and crispy Ilocos empanada, a popular snack in the Ilocos region. Every piece contains a filling of meat, shredded papaya or monggo and egg. The wrapper is made of rice galapong which is kneaded thoroughly. It is served with Ilocos vinegar spiced with hot pepper. This stuff is available along the streets in some municipalities of this province. Or better yet if you go to Riverside Empanadaan in Batac City and enjoy the bite while looking at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum from a distance! If you take several of this stuff on a flight or bus, wrap it individually to prevent them from sticking together. Your memory of Ilocos will never fade in every crackling bite. Price: P40 to 75.