Lutong Disyerto

The food that I remember most when Undas comes is “Inangit”; it is a slightly-salted sticky rice cooked in coconut milk. The texture and way of cooking is like preparing Biko without sugar, macapuno or langka. My Lola always makes Inangit on the eve of Halloween because this delicacy is best served a day after it is prepared. We used to arrange a piece of inangit, coffee, hard-boiled egg and cigarettes (alhambra or tabako) with matchsticks (posporo) in a tray with lighted candles and offers it to the souls of the departed. The Ilocanos called this custom of ritual offering “pag-aatang or atang” to shows respect, affection and remembrance. When I was a kid I asked the elders if the soul really touches the food and they simply answered if it is spoiled the next morning then an entity had tasted it and in that case we scrutinized the food for tear, bite marks and changes in arrangement. If the food is still good they let us eat it for us to be brave (pang-patapang). Much of that custom (pamahiin) and now being an adult, aside from offering prayers I still practice “pag-aatang” just like my folks did. Truly a Filipino Comfort & Soul Food!!!

P.S.
Finding comfort food is easy just ask the poor people (masa) what food in their table they just had? Everything turns out to be a “comfort food” and even a sprinkle of salt and a dash of water in a hot steamed rice is comforting in these times of hardships. Mapalad na siguro kung may instant noodles, sardinas, tuyo o itlog sa hapag-kainan ng mga milyon-milyong Pilipinong naghihikahos lalo na ngayong magpapasko. Kahit papaano’y mapalad pa rin tayong lutuin ang mga pagkaing ating pinag-uusapan.