Anao, Tarlac used to be famous as a pioneer in ilang-ilang production and processing. Today, the town is also becoming popular for its pandesal enriched with squash. The bakery of Tito Rey Quindara has been producing a best-selling pandesal which consists of 70 percent wheat flour and 30 percent squash.

Toto Barcelona of Harbest Agribusiness tells us that it all started with the techno-demo and training farm project on high-value crops of the Department of Agriculture’s Region 3 headed by Fernando Lorenzo . Some 40 attendees were trained by technicians of Harbest on the basics of commercial production of high-value vegetables using simple and doable technology.

One of the trainees was Romeo Constante of Brgy. San Jose, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW). With a small capital, Constante planted 2,000 square meters to the Phoenix solo squash, a variety from Taiwan that weighs two to three kilos per fruit. Its golden flesh is thick and with a superior flavor.

When Quindara saw the attractive color and thick flesh of Phoenix, he tested it as a possible material to enrich his bread. He liked the result and then and there decided to commercially produce his squash-enriched hot pandesal. His customers liked it so much so that Constante has to increase his production of Phoenix squash.

Toto says that the youthful mayor of Anao, Edgardo Felipe, is the number one promoter of Tito Rey’s squash-enriched hot pandesal. He has brought the same to trade shows and conventions with very positive results.

Toto says that the formula for the squash-enriched pandesal is quite simple. The fruit is washed and peeled. The seeds are removed and the peeled flesh is cut into small chunks, about an inch or two. Boil the sliced pieces until soft. Pour the cooked chunks with the remaining water into an osterizer, and osterize until it becomes a puree. The puree (30 percent of mixture) is added to the wheat flour and other ingredients in the process of kneading the raw materials. The resulting bread is rich in vitamin A and iron.

Meanwhile, Barcelona tells us that in Bacolod City, the Negros Economic Development Foundation has come up with a squash-pickle mix consisting of grated squash and pieces of carrots and ampalaya.

**** **** **** Members of the original Philippine Horticultural Society established in 1976 will hold their Christmas party on December 11 at the bonsai park of Mody Manglimot at UP Diliman. The same group, their friends and supporters, including the management of the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, will hold their annual flower and garden show on January 16 to 25. The venue is the Quezon Memorial Circle.

PHS CHRISTMAS PARTY.