Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd)
I first tasted this vegetable when I was younger. It is one of the ingredients of Pinakbet, which is a delicacy in the Northern Luzon. Everyone who is raised in the north literally knows what I am talking about.
The bitter gourd or Ampalaya in Filipino gives a bitter taste to the native dish. Pinakbet can never be called one without it. My folks tell me to eat it because it is healthy so i do so; but I don't really like the bittery taste of it. 😖😝
