Halayang Ube (Purple Yam Dessert) Recipe | Panlasang Pinoy Recipes™ (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between ube and Halaya? ›

Generally, the term halaya is reserved for nilupak made with ube and calabaza, while nilupak is more commonly used for variants made with mashed cassava or saba bananas. Variants made from sweet potato and taro can be known as either halaya or nilupak.

This Filipino purple yam dessert (ube halaya or ube jam) is not only eye-catching, it's totally delicious!! Mashed purple yam is cooked slowly with butter, evaporated milk and condensed milk which give this colorful dessert such a luscious buttery, creamy and sweet flavor.

Purple Yam, commonly known all over the world by its Filipino name ube (pronounced “ooh-beh”), is one of the Philippines' most beloved ingredients.

How Long Does Ube Halaya Last. Properly stored, this nilupak na ube will last in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to one month. Keep in an airtight container or wrap tightly with cling wrap to prevent from drying out.

Dioscorea alata is a species of yam commonly referred to as purple yam, ube, violet yam, or water yam. This tuberous root vegetable originates from Southeast Asia and is often confused with taro root. An indigenous staple of the Philippines, it's now cultivated and enjoyed worldwide.

It is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and has been cultivated in the Philippines for centuries. In Filipino culture, ube is not just a food but also a symbol of Filipino resilience and adaptability. Even during challenging times, the ube plant thrives, much like the Filipino spirit.

Due to dwindling local production and the need to meet export demands, ube flavoring and color has become common in the Asian country. Scarcity in supply of the crop has also resulted in high prices.

Among the four, the Kinampay, which originated in Bohol, outdoes the other varieties in color, aroma, and its slightly nutty, vanilla-like taste; hence, its reputation as the “Queen of Philippine Yams.” Ube figures prominently in the history of the Boholanos.

Both the vines and the ube can grow indefinitely if you let it. Because I live in San Francisco East Bay Area, I do have to be mindful of the weather patterns. I planted in April and the vines were really doing really well during the summer when it was quite dry.

Ube halaya is the purple yam in its most versatile form: a thick, spreadable jam. It's ready to spread on golden rolls of pan de sal, dress up a drab scoop of vanilla ice cream, or just be eaten by the spoonful. Like most fussy Filipino titas would insist, a proper ube halaya should be homemade.

Is Ube Halaya good for weight loss? ›

It is a nutrient-dense food, providing vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. Ube's low glycemic index helps regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, it supports satiety, making it beneficial for weight management.

It's also called purple yam jam or ube jam or halayang ube. Ube is cooked, mashed, and then cooked again with dairy and sugar to make a delicious, creamy, and sweet pudding-like dessert. Ube jam typically served as is, molded into dishes known as llanera molds.

Definition for the Tagalog word halaya:

halayá [adjective] sweetened (often a root, like ube, made into dessert)

The difference between ube and purple sweet potato is that ube is a yam instead of a sweet potato. This means that the skin of the ube is rough and bark-like instead of thin and smooth like that of the purple sweet potato.

Similar to many other kinds of yams and sweet potatoes, ube is a highly nutritious tuber. It's a great fit for a balanced, healthy eating pattern (whether it's in a meal, snack or dessert).