A Purple Delight: What is Ube Ice Cream?
Ube ice cream is a delightful frozen dessert made from ube, a vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines. This delectable treat boasts a beautiful hue and a unique, nutty flavor that's unlike anything you've tasted before.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Origins of Ube
Ube has been a staple ingredient in Filipino cuisine for centuries. It's used in a variety of dishes, from sweet treats like ube ice cream and ube halaya (jam) to savory dishes such as ube pandesal (bread rolls).
Let's Get Cooking: Making Ube Ice Cream at Home
Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 6 hours (includes freezing time)
Ingredients
- 500 grams ube (purple yam), peeled and grated
- 480 grams heavy cream (approx. 2 cups)
- 240 grams whole milk (approx. 1 cup)
- 200 grams granulated sugar (approx. 1 cup)
- 30 grams ube powder (approx. 1/4 cup)
- 15 grams ube extract (approx. 1 tablespoon)
- 1.5 grams salt (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine grated ube, heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.
- Stir in ube powder and ube extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Transfer the churned ube ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
- Scoop and enjoy your homemade ube ice cream!
Can't Find Ube? No Problem!
If you're unable to find fresh ube, you can still make this delicious ice cream using these substitutes:
- 400 grams frozen grated ube, thawed (approx. 2 cups)
- 120 grams ube powder (add an additional 120 grams or 1/2 cup of milk to the recipe)
- 400 grams mashed purple sweet potatoes (though the flavor will be slightly different)
Nutritional Information
Ube ice cream is a treat to be enjoyed in moderation. Based on the ingredients used in this recipe, one serving (1/2 cup) contains approximately:
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
Health Benefits of Ube
In addition to its fantastic taste, ube is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. When consumed in moderation, ube ice cream can be a tasty and nutritious dessert option.
Final Scoops: Tips for the Perfect Ube Ice Cream
- Always use an ice cream maker for the smoothest, creamiest texture.
- For a lighter version, you can replace the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can still make ube ice cream using the freeze-and-stir method.