yo no soy marinero, soy "alupihan!"

i'm sure you know the real lyrics to that "la bamba" song! haha!

my postcard is food-themed, and just so happens to be perfect for meatless friday as observed by people like myself who celebrate lent. this postcard is from my good friend, gingmaganda, (thanks, ging!) from the philippines.

"alupihan" is filipino for a creature with many feet, such as centipedes, but it also refers to this crustacean delight (as "alupihang dagat" or multi-legged seacreature) that resembles shrimps and lobsters. the back of the postcard translates "alupihang dagat" to "mantis prawn" and includes this recipe:

1/2 kilo alupihang dagat (mantis prawn)
white wine
peppercorns
ginger
tarragon
salt and pepper

rinse alupihang dagat well, salt and pepper very lightly then steam over a mixture of white wine, peppercorns, ginger and tarragon. when done, drain and garnish with the tarragon. serve on half tridacna shell (surely, this is optional! haha) and eat with vinegar, olive oil, savoried with siling labuyo.

the postcard also classifies this as a mere "appetizer." are you appetized enough?