Glossary P
Pakwan is the Filipino word for Watermelon. In Germany, it is called Wassermelone and if it is always available in the Philippines, especially in the summer months so cheap, in Germany, it is sold by kilo and quite expensive.
Pakwan is one of the best fruits that is so good during the hot summer months. In the Philippines, we just sliced it into serving pieces and served, while others make it as juice or smoothie. Pakwan or Watermelon is best eaten when chilled.
In Germany, Watermelon slices are already made as one of ingredients for savory salads and as an ingredient for a fruit salad mixed with grapes and pineapples slices which are readily available in plastic containers in groceries.
Watermelon contains 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. It is a great source of vitamin C just like with other fruits.
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Shown below, is my nephew enjoying Pakwan (Watermelon) during a summer picnic in Torrijos, my grandfather's birth place, in Marinduque, a heart-shaped island in the Philippines.
English: Steamed Rice Cake / Deutsch: Gedämpfter Reiskuchen / Español: Pastel de arroz al vapor / Português: Bolo de arroz cozido no vapor / Français: Gâteau de riz vapeur / Italiano: Dolce di riso al vapore /
Puto Pao refers to Philippines steamed rice cake with meat fillings. Originally, Puto are just plain steamed rice cakes, but some enterprising Filipinos invented a Puto with a meat filling similar to the original Siopao which is steamed bun with meat filling. Hence, it was called Puto Pao from the combined name Puto + Pao from Siopao. Personal Note: My sister-in-law who is so fond of cooking native delicacies used to make Puto Pao when I was still in my home country, the Philippines. She can make good Puto so she also makes Puto Pao, by just adding a meat filling to her basic Puto recipe.
Pitanga Cherry (Eugenia uniflora) refers to a juicy red fruit with a unique taste grows on a large decorative shrub. The cherries are 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter, and ribbed from top to bottom. Pitanga Cherries are also called Surinam cherries, or Brazilian cherries. Pitanga cherries make excellent jelly. They are not usually available outside the tropics.