Ube halaya, also called ube jam, is a favorite Filipino dessert made from purple yam. It is usually served during special occasions or given as a giveaway or gift to friends during the holiday season in December when purple yam is most abundant. Preparation of the dish includes boiling and mashing this tuberous vegetable before mixing it with the other ingredients including coconut milk and sugar.

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Ube is one of the few vegetables that can be made into a delicious dessert. Ube halaya has a thick and gluey texture and is one of the favored halo-halo components, though it’s sweet and delectable enough to be eaten alone. Others like ube halaya as a sandwich or cookie filling.

Luckily, making this dish is so simple, you can easily make one at home. The only challenge in making this ube halaya dish is in the mixing of all the ingredients. It needs to be continuously stirred for at least 25 minutes or longer to be able to achieve the ideal texture.

For the complete instruction on how to make an ube halaya at home, follow this recipe.

Ube Halaya Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb grated purple yam
• 2 cups coconut milk
• ¾ cup cane sugar
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil

Instructions

1. Place a cooking pot on a stove and pour the coconut milk. Bring to a boil.
2. Once it boils, add the sugar, lower the heat, and stir the mixture until the sugar dilutes completely.
3. Add the grated purple yam. Stir continuously until the texture is sticky enough, That would take you around 20 to 30 minutes to achieve it. (Note: continue stirring to avoid the mixture from sticking at the bottom.)
4. Using a clean cloth or your finger, grease the llanera with cooking oil. Transfer the cooked ube halaya to the oiled container.
5. Let it cool down to room temperature. You can it eat it right away or place in the fridge covered with a cling wrap.
6. And you’re done!

Watch the video below