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The mighty
moringa
THE HUMBLE PLANT IS
FINALLY GETTING THE
ATTENTION IT DESERVES
yum!
healthy eats
TEXT BY LOUIE-AN PILAPIL; PHOTO (PASTA) BY GETTY IMAGES
The whole world has begun
to discover that
malunggay
(moringa in English) is a
superfood. It’s called the
“miracle tree” for a reason. All
of it — leaves, fruits, roots —
packs nutrients like nothing else.
Better yet, it grows just about
anywhere and everywhere in
its native regions in Africa and
Asia, free from the need for
special care. In the Philippines,
malunggay is added in
abundance to many dishes —
mostly in comfort foods like
soups — more for its flavor than
its nutritional content. Now,
however, people are learning
of its health benefits and
consuming it as a tea, in capsule
form and as a key component
of juices and smoothies.
With seven times the
Vitamin C in an orange, four
times the calcium in milk and
three times the potassium in
a banana to name just a few,
malunggay is known to reduce
cholesterol, control blood sugar
spikes and help fight diabetes
and cancer. There’s no doubt
that malunggay should be a
part of everyone’s diet.
TRY THIS AT HOME
This malunggay pesto recipe is good
for three to four servings of pasta.
You can use angel hair, fettucine,
linguine or spaghetti.
1/2 cup malunggay leaves, washed and dried
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped roasted cashew nuts
or toasted pine nuts
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
malunggay leaves for garnish (optional)
In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Season with
salt and pepper. Toss with the pasta. Garnish with malunggay leaves, if desired.
Recipe by Rachelle Santos, courtesy of
Yummy
magazine.
GET YOUR
DOSE OF
MALUNGGAY
AT THESE
EATERIES
Mais a la Sibyla
(Suamnamais
with prawns and
malunggay leaves)
ELIAS
Bonifacio High St Central,
Cnr 7th Ave and 30th St,
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City;
Kalabasa soup with
malunggay
CABALEN
G/F, Market Market East
Mall, Fort Bonifacio Global
City, Taguig City
Kalamansi
malunggay juice
CRISOSTOMO
2/F, Veranda, Eastwood
Mall, Brgy Bagumbayan,
Quezon City;
www.
crisostomo.ph
Moringa ravioli
LARRY’S CAFÉ & BAR
G/F, Serendra, Retail Area,
Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig City
