When it comes to Asian barbecue styles, there’s a delicious landscape of distinctive regional flavors that will entice seasoned foodies and casual diners alike. Each country and culture has traditional dishes that define local cuisine — and Filipino BBQ is no different. The customary sweetness that is a trademark of Filipino BBQ comes from the use of banana ketchup in the marinade used to prepare meat.
The Role of Banana Ketchup
Many dishes and ingredients define Filipino cuisine, but banana ketchup is the secret sauce on every table and in every kitchen. This traditional cooking style is known for the smoky, chargrilled flavor of the barbecue, which is enhanced by a sweet, caramelized flavor and texture. Pinoy BBQ is usually cooked and served on skewers, and these grilled seafood and meat sticks are part of a wide range of popular Filipino street foods. Lemon-lime soda, soy sauce, and a native citrus fruit known as calamansi also go into the tenderizing, flavor-enhancing sauce that gives the cuisine its defining characteristics.
The Origin of Banana Ketchup
The story of how bananas found their way into Filipino BBQ sauce is one of food scarcity, self-sufficiency, and culinary genius. Due to the novelty of Americans present in Southeast Asia during World War II, ingredients imported to the Philippines from the U.S. were held in high regard. However, tomatoes were hard to come by during and after WWII, so an accessible replacement for the popular American ingredient had to be found. The fruity, flavorful, and widely available substitution was bananas.
María Orosa: The Innovator Behind Banana Ketchup
The woman behind banana ketchup is María Orosa, a food scientist and humanitarian who sought to make the Philippines less dependent on imported foods. Her dream of a self-sustaining homeland led her to create the first iteration of banana ketchup sometime in the 1930s. While the color had to be adjusted with red food coloring, the flavor and accessibility made the creation quick to spread. Today, banana ketchup is mass-produced and integral to Filipino BBQ.
