Tugabang

(This page on Tugabang is currently undergoing editorial review.)

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Tracheophyta
Class: Spermatopsida
Family: Malvaceae
Hibiscus surattensis
Common Name: Tugabang, Togabang
Old classification name: Mezoneurum glabrum (Sapnit in Pampango)
Red Jute / Mallow leaves: Corchorus olitorius

This is more widely known in Tagalog as saluyot, a leafy vegetable from the plant whose scientific genus name is Corchorus.

Saluyot is a popular vegetable in the Ilocos region in the northern part of the island of Luzon. Ferdinand Marcos, an Ilocano native, mentioned saluyot as one of his favorite vegetables.

Tugabang is part of the jute family of plants and has been called jute mallow or Nalta jute. It is found in the Visayas region.

Dahon ng saluyot (jute leaves) used to have a reputation as primarily being a nutritious food source for poor Filipinos. These days, it’s considered a health food. There’s saluyot juice, saluyot salad, saluyot soup, saluyot burger…

A popular dish combines saluyot with labong (bamboo shoots). Saluyot can also be cooked with sitaw (beans), ampalaya (bitter gourd), chicken, shrimp or sardines.

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