20+ BEST Ube Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best combination with ube? ›

Ube (purple yam) + Coconut is the best ever combination whether it's Cakes, Drinks, Savory food, it balances each other sooooo well. I grew up with Ube Ice-Icecream since I was a kid.

Due to dwindling local production and the need to meet export demands, ube flavoring and color has become common in the Asian country. Scarcity in supply of the crop has also resulted in high prices.

Purple yam is a great source of potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamin C. Additionally, it provides iron and vitamin A and has very little fat content. They contain potent plant chemicals, such as anthocyanins, which reduce blood pressure and inflammation.

Taro is earthy and starchy, and is a great choice for savory dishes, while ube has a distinct and sweet flavor, making it perfect for desserts. When it comes to nutrition, both taro and ube are packed with nutrients and have numerous health benefits, but they differ in their calorie and carbohydrate content.

Uhi – a Hawaiian yam – is a canoe crop of the same species as ube (Dioscorea alata). Very popular in the Philippines, ube is used in many traditional dishes and modern desserts, such as ice cream and cake. While 'uala is an important staple crop in Hawai'i, uhi never achieved this status.

Fresh ube is often prepared and cooked like a potato — heated until it is soft. Like white potatoes, ube contains some toxins when raw, so it should always be thoroughly cooked. It can be prepared in a variety of ways: boiled, baked, mashed, or fried.

Keep in mind that ube root contains some toxins in it and should never be consumed raw.

Folk medicine has used ube to treat the symptoms of menopause, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and infertility. In traditional Chinese medicine, diosgenin (the tuber storage protein of ube) is extracted from wild yam and used to treat kidney and liver problems.

Why are Filipinos obsessed with ube? ›

Ube (Purple Yam): A Historical Staple

It is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and has been cultivated in the Philippines for centuries. In Filipino culture, ube is not just a food but also a symbol of Filipino resilience and adaptability.

Dioscorea alata is a species of yam commonly referred to as purple yam, ube, violet yam, or water yam. This tuberous root vegetable originates from Southeast Asia and is often confused with taro root. An indigenous staple of the Philippines, it's now cultivated and enjoyed worldwide.

Purple yam is good for several reasons. It offers a good amount of dietary fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It can support digestive health, provide antioxidant protection, help regulate blood sugar levels, contribute to weight management, and promote overall well-being.

Ube tastes mildly sweet (but sweeter than taro and a sweet potato), with a nutty flavor, and is a bit like a vanilla baked good. That's why it's commonly paired with coconut and white chocolate in desserts.

It's called halayang ube in the Philippines. It's a sweet treat made from purple yam which is commonly found in the country. You can eat this with bread or by itself. The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen.

For a simple way to dip into your Ube Spread stash, use it to top pancakes like TikTok user @doll_legs did. The spread is a great substitute for maple syrup on any type of pancakes, and works as a sweet waffle or French toast topper as well. Add some homemade whipped cream and sliced fruit for a really decadent meal.

What truly sets ube ice cream apart is its seamless pairing with other beloved Filipino flavors like macapuno and pinipig. Macapuno, also known as coconut sport, is the soft, chewy flesh of the coconut that enhances the creaminess of the ice cream, adding another layer of flavor complexity.