Halayang Ube (Purple Yam Dessert) Recipe | Panlasang Pinoy Recipes™ (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between ube and Halaya? ›

Ube halaya or halayang ube (also spelled halea, haleya; from Spanish jalea 'jelly') is a Philippine dessert made from boiled and mashed purple yam (Dioscorea alata, locally known as ube). Ube halaya is the main base in ube/purple yam flavored-pastries and ube ice cream.

A traditional Filipino dessert, ube halaya is a sweet, creamy pudding dessert that is made from the tropical purple winged yam called ube (read all about ube here).

Ube is Tagalog – the national language of the Philippines – for the purple yam native to Southeast Asia that has since been naturalized in South America, Africa, Australia, and the southeastern United States. It is also known as the “winged” or “water” yam in English.

Halayang Ube (Ube Halaya) is a classic Filipino delicacy made of purple yam, coconut milk, and butter. Creamy, cheesy, and topped with golden latik, it's delicious as a snack or dessert.

The bottom line

Purple yams are an incredibly nutritious starchy root vegetable. Their powerful antioxidants may help reduce your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. They are tasty and versatile with a vibrant color, making them an exciting ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

Taro Nutrition. In terms of calories, taro and ube are very similar, with around 140 to 180 calories per serving. Ube is higher in sugar and has lots of antioxidants. Because it has a low glycemic index, meaning the carbohydrates and sugars get metabolized by your body very slowly, it can also help regulate blood sugar ...

Ube is actually a purple yam. that originated from the Philippines, while taro. is a root that's enjoyed in many different continents. Ube and taro are often confused for each other. because of their rich purple color in many desserts, but taro is naturally white.

The main differences between taro and ube are their origin, the shape and color of their roots, and their flavor and traditional uses. Taro is native to Southeast Asia and has white or light purple roots, while ube (also known as purple yam) is native to the Philippines and has purple roots.

For the uninitiated, ube (pronounced ooh-bae) is a starchy vegetable also as known as a purple yam. But it is not the same as purple sweet potatoes, though they are similar and can be substituted in recipes. Ube is often confused with Stokes Purple sweet potatoes or Okinawan sweet potatoes which are also purple.

Among the four, the Kinampay, which originated in Bohol, outdoes the other varieties in color, aroma, and its slightly nutty, vanilla-like taste; hence, its reputation as the “Queen of Philippine Yams.” Ube figures prominently in the history of the Boholanos.

What is Ube Halaya in English? ›

It's also called purple yam jam or ube jam or halayang ube. Ube is cooked, mashed, and then cooked again with dairy and sugar to make a delicious, creamy, and sweet pudding-like dessert.

Having twelve round fruits on the dinner table as the clock strikes twelve brings good luck and prosperity in the New Year. Making something purple for media noche brings even more prosperity. The more purple, the better. The color purple — the color of a one-hundred peso bill — is the color of prosperity.

The Birth of Ube Halaya

Its roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when Filipinos began experimenting with different ways to prepare ube. The dish typically consists of grated purple yam, coconut milk, condensed milk, and sugar, all simmered together until it forms a rich, sweet, and vibrant purple paste.

Similar to many other kinds of yams and sweet potatoes, ube is a highly nutritious tuber. It's a great fit for a balanced, healthy eating pattern (whether it's in a meal, snack or dessert).

The Philippine purple yam is a healthier alternative to other yams because they are high in antioxidants; Vitamins A, C, and E; and with high levels in potassium. And, because it is high in fiber, ube encourages healthy digestion.

One thing they have in common: ube halaya (Filipino purple yam jam or simply, ube jam) is a main ingredient.

Definition for the Tagalog word halaya:

halayá [adjective] sweetened (often a root, like ube, made into dessert)

What is ube halaya? Ube halaya (pronounced ooh-bay ha-la-yah) is a very popular dessert in the Philippines. It's also called purple yam jam or ube jam or halayang ube. Ube is cooked, mashed, and then cooked again with dairy and sugar to make a delicious, creamy, and sweet pudding-like dessert.

The difference between ube and purple sweet potato is that ube is a yam instead of a sweet potato. This means that the skin of the ube is rough and bark-like instead of thin and smooth like that of the purple sweet potato.