Today was all about going 100% local with our lunch. When I walked into the kitchen, Jessa surprised me with one of my absolute favorite local meals. We had a spread of "Cardava" bananas, sweet potatoes, some local vegetables she’d just picked from outside, corn rice (which is a great healthy alternative to white rice), and the star of the show: salty fish.
If you’re a foreigner coming to the Philippines, the idea of eating bananas with salty fish might sound a bit strange at first. These aren't the sweet dessert bananas most of us are used to; they have a different texture and flavor that pair perfectly with the saltiness of the fish. I’ll admit, when I first moved here years ago, I wouldn't touch this kind of food. But like a fine wine or a cold beer, it’s an acquired taste. Now, I actually crave it!
While we were eating, I had to address some of the comments from our last "food" video. A lot of people were "pitying" me, claiming Jessa was serving me burnt food. I had to set the record straight—she doesn't burn my food! What looked "black" in the last video was actually just the dark skin of a specific type of sweet potato, or maybe a bit too much soy sauce on the veggies. You can't "burn" a potato that's being boiled in water! I think some people are just a little jealous that I have a wife who cooks such great meals for me.
The meal was delicious, though I did have one minor "complaint"—Jessa forgot my favorite oil sauce for the sweet potatoes! I also noticed the salty fish was particularly salty today, maybe because of the way the local fisherman prepared it, but it was still great.
One thing I’ve really come to appreciate is eating with my hands. I’ve heard it’s actually one of the healthiest ways to eat because it connects you more with your food, and honestly, it just tastes better that way. Filipinos definitely know what they’re doing there!
It was a simple, quiet lunch at home with Jessa and Liam, but these are the moments that make living here so special. It’s not always about big adventures; sometimes it’s just about enjoying a 100% local meal with the people you love. If you’re ever in the Philippines, don’t be afraid to try the banana and salty fish—you might just find yourself craving it too! Thanks for watching and following our journey.
