Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote

A Filipino salad made with poached sweet potato leaves, cherry tomatoes, red onion, salted duck eggs, and crispy dilis with a vinaigrette dressing. Discover a taste of the Philippines with this vibrant salad! Perfectly tangy and savoury, it pairs wonderfully with grilled fish. #EnsaladangTalbosNgKamote #FilipinoCuisine #HealthyEating #AngSarap

Growing up in the Philippines, I seldom encountered salads as a regular feature on our dining table. Unlike the leafy greens often associated with Western meals, our “salads” were typically sweet and creamy, like buko salad or fruit salad. When we did have a savoury salad, it was more of an accompaniment to other dishes, often in the form of ensalada or atchara. This is largely due to practical reasons—fresh vegetables like lettuce spoil quickly in our tropical climate, making them a rare and often expensive commodity.

The concept of a green salad is slowly gaining ground, thanks to the popularity of Korean BBQ and the advent of hydroponic farming, but it still has its challenges. Many Filipinos can’t afford the high prices of imported greens, and the unfamiliarity can make people hesitant to try them, fearing they might waste their hard-earned money on something they might not enjoy.

Instead, we have our own unique versions of salads, using ingredients that are more readily available and suited to our climate. One such example is Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote, or Sweet Potato Leaves Salad. This dish is a fantastic representation of how Filipinos use local ingredients to create something both nutritious and delicious. Sweet potato leaves are abundant in the Philippines and provide a great base for this salad, in fact we had this in our home back in the Philippines as my grandfather loves planting vegetables at our backyard back then.

My version of this salad includes poached sweet potato leaves, cherry tomatoes, red onion, salted duck eggs, and a crunchy topping of crispy fried dilis (dried anchovies). The vinaigrette dressing, made with vinegar, fish sauce, olive oil, and a touch of sugar, ties everything together beautifully.

Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Author: Raymund
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Yield: 3 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Cuisine: Filipino

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

A Filipino salad made with poached sweet potato leaves, cherry tomatoes, red onion, salted duck eggs, and crispy dilis with a vinaigrette dressing.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad

• 1 large bunch kamote leaves (sweet potato leaves)
• 1 salted duck egg, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup crispy fried dilis (dried anchovies)
• 12 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Dressing

• 1/4 cup cane vinegar
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pick the leaves from the stems. Under cold running water, wash and drain well.
2. Steam the kamote leaves for about 2 minutes or just until wilted. Alternatively, in a pot over medium heat, bring about 2 cups of water to a boil. Briefly dip the leaves in the boiling water for about 30 seconds or just until wilted.
3. Quickly plunge the leaves into iced water for about 30 to 40 seconds or until cold. Drain well.
4. In a bowl, combine the kamote leaves, duck egg, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
5. In a small bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and mix well.
6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
7. Top with crispy dilis, then serve.

---

This recipe is not only a nod to traditional Filipino cuisine but also a perfect example of how you can create something wonderful from simple, readily available ingredients. I love serving this salad alongside fried or grilled fish, as the tangy and salty flavours complement each other perfectly.

The beauty of Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote lies in its simplicity and the use of ingredients that are deeply rooted in Filipino culinary traditions. Sweet potato leaves are packed with nutrients and provide a slightly earthy flavour that pairs well with the other components of the salad. The salted duck egg adds a rich, savoury element, while the crispy dilis provide a delightful crunch.

If you’re looking to explore Filipino cuisine or just want to try something new and healthy, this salad is a great place to start. It’s quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and offers a taste of the Philippines that you might not have experienced before. So next time you’re looking for a side dish to accompany your meal, give Ensaladang Talbos ng Kamote a try. It’s a refreshing change from the usual salads and a wonderful way to enjoy the unique flavours of Filipino ingredients.

Enjoy this healthy and vibrant salad, perfect for adding a touch of Filipino flavour to your meals!