20+ BEST Ube Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best ube variety? ›

And even though yams and sweet potatoes aren't the same thing, ube does have a similar earthy sweetness as that found in purple sweet potatoes. The sweetest and most prized variety of ube is kinampay, which is often referred to as "the queen of Philippine yams" and is known for its complex flavor.

Ube is a starchy vegetable also known as purple yam — which is not the same as purple sweet potatoes, though they are similar and can be substituted in recipes. Yams, for one, grow on vines, while sweet potatoes grow underground. Ube is often confused with Stokes Purple sweet potatoes or Okinawan sweet potatoes.

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.

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.

Nutritional Value

Ube, on the other hand, is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It's also a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. However, ube is higher in calories and carbohydrates compared to taro, making it a less ideal choice for those on a low-carb or low-calorie diet.

This vibrant root vegetable is a good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant crucial for immune function and collagen production. Ube also boasts a significant amount of potassium, a mineral essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure and muscle function.

The flavonoids in purple yams have been shown to help lower blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes. Obesity and inflammation caused by oxidative stress increase your risk of insulin resistance, poor blood sugar control, and type 2 diabetes ( 18 ).

Purple yam may also reduce cancer risk due to the presence of vitamin C and improve the immune system. It also aids in weight loss and helps promote brain health thanks to its anthocyanins. However, some potential downsides of purple yams include headaches, allergic reactions, and medical interactions.

The botanical name for it is Dacryodes Edulis. Other names for it includes African plum, bush pear, purple pear, butter fruit or nsafu. Only parts of Nigeria know it as ube, however it has a variety of names in other regions. Safou, and atanga are its other names in Cameroon and Gabon respectively.

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.

What nut goes well with ube? ›

Unsalted macadamia nuts: add crunch and nutiness. Sweetened desiccated coconut: add sweetness and coconut flavor, which pairs perfectly with ube.

Ube is not typically found in its raw form in the United States, more often available in powdered and extract forms. Raw ube contains some toxins and should be cooked down before serving.

If you are able to source ube in fresh form, you should not store the whole ube in the refrigerator, as you would other starchy vegetables. Store them somewhere dry, dark and cool. The best way to preserve cooked ube is to cover it tightly in cling wrap or keep it in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.

This food is made by grating or mashing boiled ube flesh before mixing it with milk, coconut milk, or condensed milk and other sweeteners. At this stage, ube halaya can be eaten by itself or added to other recipes to provide ube flavor.

The ube varieties Kimabajo and Sampero have light purple flesh while Rapang-rapang and Shiket have dark purple flesh. Daking has white flesh and purple peel. Both tugui varieties, Highland and Lowland Tugui, have white flesh but the former is round-shaped while the latter is elongated.

What flavor is ube? Ube's flavor has been described as earthy, sweet, and nutty; a breath of vanilla with a wisp of soft pistachio. This mild and slightly sweet flavor makes it a favorite for desserts, whereas most other tubers are used in savory dishes. Ube has a gentle, not-at-all intense flavor.

Beni imo, otherwise known as purple sweet potato, is the only one of the three that is actually a sweet potato. It is often confused for ube because of its flesh is a similar color. However, beni imo are light-skinned on the outside while ube are dark-skinned.

While the ube has long been a staple in Filipino cuisine-used in cakes, puddings, flan, cheesecake, and more-it's only made its way into mainstream U.S. culture in the last few years.