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| Alternative names | Sweet spaghetti |
|---|---|
| Type | Pasta |
| Course | Main dish |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Spaghetti,tomato sauce,tomato paste,banana ketchup,brown sugar orcondensed milk,giniling,hot dogs,cheese |
Filipino spaghetti (also known assweet spaghetti) is aFilipino adaptation ofItalianspaghetti withBolognese sauce. It has a distinctively sweet sauce, usually made fromtomato sauce sweetened withbrown sugar,banana ketchup, orcondensed milk. It is typically topped with slicedhot dogs orsmokedlongganisa sausages,giniling (ground meat), and gratedcheese. It is regarded as acomfort food inPhilippine cuisine. It is typically served on almost any special occasion, especially on children'sbirthdays.[1][2][3]
The dish is believed to date back to the period between the 1940s and the 1960s. During theAmerican Commonwealth Period, a shortage of tomato supplies inWorld War II forced the local development ofbanana ketchup.[1][2] Spaghetti withBolognese sauce was introduced by the Americans and was tweaked to suit the local Filipino predilection for sweet dishes.[4]
Filipino spaghetti is relatively cheap and easy to make, which is part of the reason for its popularity. First, minced garlic and onions aresautéed in oil in a large pan until theycaramelize. Theginiling (ground meat) is added and cooked until it is brown. The slicedhot dogs are then added, though it can be replaced with otherprocessed meat likesmokedlongganisa sausages,ham,Vienna sausages,meatballs,luncheon meat,Spam, orcorned beef.[5][6] It is cooked for a few more minutes before thetomato sauce andtomato paste mixture is poured into the pan.Beef stock,mushroom soup, orevaporated milk may also be added.[4] This is sweetened with a bit ofbanana ketchup orbrown sugar, and spiced to taste with salt andblack pepper.[7] Other common sweeteners includecondensed milk,syrup, or even carbonatedsoft drinks.[8][9] It is boiled until it reduces to the right consistency.[7] Some people use store-boughtspaghetti sauce as the base for convenience that, in thePhilippines, may already be sold in Filipino-style flavors.[10][6]
The spaghetti pasta noodles are almost always store-bought. They are cooked usually toal dente consistency. They may be added directly to the sauce and pre-mixed, or served separately with a large amount of sauce poured over them.[10] Grated or cubed cheese (usuallycheddar) is added before serving, though sometimes the cheese is infused in the sauce or melted over the pasta.[5]
Other ingredients that may be added to the sauce include finely minced red and greenbell peppers andcarrots.[7][10]
Filipino spaghetti has great cultural significance for Filipinos as acomfort food.[2] It is almost always served on special occasions, especially on children'sbirthdays.[citation needed]
Filipino spaghetti is offered byfast-food chains in the Philippines.[2] It is part of the regular menu of the Filipino chainJollibee, as well as the Philippine branches ofMcDonald's andKFC, among others.[2]
InNueva Ecija, a similar but distinct dish to Filipino spaghetti isbangus spaghetti, which is made from nativemilkfish, calledbangus in the native language.[11]
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