12 Timor-Leste traditional food & Health Impacts
Timor-Leste cuisine is considered as one of the Asian healthy foods, since it comprises of fresh ingredients, herbs and spices.
The rich culinary tradition of Timor-Leste is typically influenced by its indigenous culture. These give rise to numerous dishes like Ikan Sabuko, Feijoada, Tapai, Sate among others.
There are varieties of ingredients in Timor-Leste that are mostly used in cooking traditional foods such as beef, pork, sausages, tamarind juice, grated coconut, rice flour and palm sugar.
This article will explain 12 Timor-Leste traditional foods & Health Impacts
1. Batar da’an
Batar da’an is a native food of Timor-Leste. It is made either from mashed corn or rice, combined with coconut milk and packaged in a banana leaves.
It is then steamed or boiled for some minute. Batar da’an is eaten with grilled fish or vegetables depending on your choice.
Batar da’an is valuable in terms of nutrients and phytochemical such as iron, protein, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, calcium, selenium, zinc, potassium, copper, magnesium, flavonoids, quercetin, Beta-carotenoid.
2. Ikan Sabuko
Ikan Sabuko is considered as traditional dish prepared with grilled fish. People of Timor-Leste eat ikan Sabuko with spicy sambal sauce and steamed rice.
Marinating the fish with mixture of spices and herbs before cooking help enhence it’s flavors.
Ikan Sabuko is spreading to norgboring regions because of it nutritional profile such as protein, dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals as well as antioxidant.
3. Batar Da’an Hokadu
Batar da’an Hokadu is sold at different restaurants in Timor-Leste Town. It is highly nutritious and easy to prepare.
This delicious traditional food, is made with grated corn, coconut milk, pumpkin, sweet potato and beans.
Batar da’an Hokadu health benefits is associated with it’s nutritional value including protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, Beta-carotenoid, among others
4. Feijoada
Image source: flickr
Feijoada is said to have been originated from Portuguese but extensively consumed in Timor-Leste because of it taste and benefits.
However, Feijoada is a stew prepared by combining beef, pork, and sausages cooked with black beans. It is served with rice.
It comprises of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, fat, protein and antioxidant.
5. Tapai
Images source: flickr
Whether you eat tapai on its own or as an ingredient in other dishes, it gives a satisfactory taste.
The traditional food is made from rice, corn, or cassava. Make sure you allow it to ferment properly with yeast.
Tapai is known for it’s health benefits which is attributed to the nutritional content seen in tapai.
6. Ikan Kuah Asam
Image source: flickr
Ikan Kuah Asam is a traditional soup made with tamarind juice, lemongrass, and various spices.
This delicious sour fish soup is cooked in the flavorful broth as it releases a tangy and aromatic taste.
There are vital nutrients and bioactive compounds in Ikan Kuah Asam. Your body gets these nutrients when you consume a generous amount of Ikan Kuah Asam.
7. Sate
Image source: flickr
Sate, or satay, is a traditional food widely consumed in Timor-Leste. Sate is grilled meat, like pork, chicken or beef.
You can be served alongside a peanut sauce. Though sate is enjoyed as a snack.
Sate contains protein, minerals, vitamins among others.
8. Tukir
This is a Timor-Leste cake prepared by mixing grated coconut, rice flour, and palm sugar.
To bake Tukir, you have to ensure that you either steamed or baked until it forms a coconutty flavor and strong
According to study Tukir offers carbohydrates, fat, when consumed
9. Bibingka
Image source: flickr
This is a special food mostly eat during Christmas, though it can be eaten as breakfast or Mid-afternoon.
The nutritious dish is cooked either by using water or coconut milk, and other ingredients like butter, muscovado sugar, salted duck eggs grated cheese.
10. Caril
Image source: flickr
Caril is a food many people in Timor-Leste love to consume due to its unique taste, nutrients content, as well as flavor.
It is actually prepared from mild chicken curry, potatoes and coconut paste.
These ingredients are store-houses of various nutrients that play a significant in human body.
11. Ai Manas
Ai Manas is widely consumed in Timor-Leste because of it influences the cultural heritage.
To prepare it, Green or red chillis, garlic, lime, red onions, ginger, bilimbi, and many other locals.
12. Katupa
Image source: flickr
Eating katupa helps keep weak immune system at bay as it consists of rice and coconut milk.
Timor-Leste traditional food Health Benefits
Energy production: They serve as primary source of energy. With the presence of rice, potatoes etc help supply calories.
Immune Boosting: Incorporating various Timor-Leste aid immune Boosting due to the abundance of nutrients like vitamin C, calcium calcium, protein, dietary fiber, healthy fat among others. Vitamin C helps in iron absorption and white blood cells
Promote heart health: Adequate intake of Timor-Leste dishes assist at optimizing heart health. They contain antioxidant, omega-3, dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium which help reduce build up, a leading causes of heart failure.
Promote Eye care: Many dishes of Timor-Leste contains antioxidant, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. Vitamin A has been associated with improvements of eye care whereas lack of vitamin A lead to symptoms linked to eye defects.
Enhence skin & Hair care: They help promote skin care owing to the presence of protein and vitamin C, vitamin A as well as antioxidant.
Conclusion
Timor-Leste cuisine has numerous delicious foods that supplies nutrients to the body.
12 Timor-Leste traditional food & Health Impacts: Katupa,Caril, Ai Manas,Tukir etc