August 15, 2009

Pink salad

Pomelo (Citrus grandis or Citrus maximus) has two names in the Philippines depending on what region of the country they, or the speaker, are from. The ones from the province of Quezon in Luzon are called lukban (there is a town named Lucban there too) and its flesh is usually yellow. The ones from the Davao region in Mindanao are called suha and are pink. The pink variety is sweeter and more easily available in Manila so the name suha is also more commonly used. Americans usually observe that the pomelo looks like a grapefruit. Never having seen or tasted grapefruit myself, I can't compare the two, but friends who have tasted both say that the pomelo is sweeter. During the past decade or two, pomelo started appearing as a salad ingredient in restaurants here, and I will forever be grateful to the person who started it because it's very refreshing. The pomelo and shrimp salad of the Vietnamese restaurant Zao is unusual in that it has more pomelo than lettuce but it was also very good.

pomelo and shrimp salad of Zao Vietnamese Bistro

32 comments:

George said...

This looks absolutely delicious. I would certainly like to try some.

Anonymous said...

I just had a lettuce salad - but had no idea it goes well with grapefruit - the kind that grows over there looks full of juice and meat - is it bitter if you eat it with the skins - or do you have to remove them?

Leif Hagen said...

Delicious snap, Hilda! Yumm! It even looks healthy, too!

Lowell said...

Yum, yum!!

I have never tasted pomelo! But it certainly does look similar to grapefruit.

That is one heck of a good-looking salad!

P.S. Snapshutter (one of your nominees) was given the Pixel Perfect Award today. Thanks much!

Elaine Yim said...

We have many pomelo orchard in Ipoh, Malaysia. Pomeloes used to be a must-have for prayers during the mid-autumn festival.

Don and Krise said...

It does look a lot like grapefruit which I love! To me though a good grapefruit is far from sweet. Hilda, you can bet once you taste a grapefruit you will remember. Sour, but oh so delicious.

USelaine said...

This looks so pretty! I read that grapefruit has a unique flavor molecule making it different than any other citrus, so it's just one of those things you have to taste for yourself.

I've never tried pomelo, even though they are sold here. I'll keep an eye out for them.

Chin said...

Delicious photo - yum!

Coskunca said...

Hi Hilda,
Thanks for sharing nice salad which looks like delicious!
You asked me why only men sitting in village center under the plane tree, because of there is the turkish cafe over there and in our country side only men goes over there. Bye.

Gunn said...

It looks very tasty and nice.
I have never tried Vietnamese food, but I have heard it is very nice.:-)

Anonymous said...

A oink salad? That is interesting! Funny what we get used to and consider normal!

VP said...

The salad looks perfect, even if the salad part is so small.

Jilly said...

This looks so delicious and refreshing. I've never seen a grapefruit quite as pink as this.

Layrayski said...

I thought that was a kinilaw. mmm... interesting.

bARE-eYED sUN said...

the salad even LOOKS delicious!

good, informative post,
as usual, thank you. :-)

..
.ero

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

I love pomelo although we don't see them here too often. I love shrimp too. This salad looks delicious.

Lois said...

It looks delicious Hilda! I would love to taste it to compare it with grapefruit. I like grapefruit but I usually put just a little sugar on it to sweeten it up!

B SQUARED said...

Looks more like a piece of art. Definitely photograph before devouring it.

Steve Harris said...

That looks absolutely delicious. It's not uncommon to see grapefruit in a salad here, so if the taste is similar I'll bet that grapefruit and shrimp salad was good. It's a great picture... and it's made me hungry... so now I am off and make some lunch.

Ebie said...

This is my main blog.
That salad looks so delicious! I have eaten both pomelo and grapefruit. When it comes to taste both are sweet. But certain varieties are otherwise. I love the varieties from Davao. Ruby reds are one of my favorites, and I can eat them as is.
P.S. Thanks for the visit.

Cezar and Léia said...

Yummy! It looks refreshing indeed and must be delicious! The combinations provided by Asian cuisine are always so interesting and different from what we have in Brazil. I bet pomelo is sweeter than grapefruit!
God bless you!
Cezar

Frank said...

Hilda, it looks and sounds delicious. The more shrimp the better.

Dina said...

"Pretty in pink."
You've never had a grapefruit?!
It's OK, pomelo is much better.
If shrimp were kosher, I'd join you for this interesting salad.

marley said...

That looks and sounds interesting! Wish I could taste it.

Unknown said...

Mmmmmmmmm... I'm sure I would love it!

James said...

Looks good to me. :-)

Hilda said...

Ellie:
The pomelo's skin is very thick and is not edible. From the rind to the — I don't know what it's called — the thing that holds the segments.

Halcyon said...

The salad looks excellent! Pomelos are a kind of pink grapefruit. I love them!!

Lisa Wilson said...

That looks wonderful, almost too pretty to eat!

Mirela said...

Yummmm!

escape said...

a month ago we had some from davao. so delicious.

Tussy said...

You make me hungry since early morning :)

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