Brackishwater frog also known as Palakang Palayan or Palakang Bukid is commonly found in ricefields in the lowlands, ditches, ponds and mangrove swamps. They’re frogs so it’s natural for them to be found in places that are damped and with water. It has a tail-less body, big bulky eyes and creepy looking skin.
Being an amphibian, they can tolerate saline water and brackish water. They are economically significant especially in the provinces where food commodity is of great value to local populace. Its meat is sought especially in Northern Luzon market places. Many farmers used to catch these frogs although they have huge benefits for them. They help farmers in a natural way, like eating loads of insects that are pests to crops, animals and even for us humans. They also served as part of the natural food cycle being a prey for bigger animals like snakes and birds. As a child, I used to see Palakang Bukid where there is pool of water and canals in grassland areas. Brackishwater frogs can be found all over the archipelago and they can be easily spotted and catch during nighttime with the aid of flashlight.
Palakang Bukid is a native delicacy in our country (Philippines). They are easy to cook and claim to provide extensive amount of vitamins and minerals. They are healthy food and taste like chicken which the children will surely enjoy. What are we waiting for? Let’s start cooking!!!
Procedure in cleaning the frogs: Hold the frog against a chopping board with a small knife.
Remove the skin by pulling it with your fingers.
Rub the frog with ash to make the skin less slippery so you can grip it better.
Cut off the head and feet.
Slit open the body and remove the internal organs.
Wash the frog thoroughly inside and out.
Procedure in Cooking:Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the frog until golden brown. Set aside.
In the pan, saute garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
Add frog, soy sauce, and ginger. cover pan and cook for 3 minutes.
Add siling labuyo and season with salt and pepper.
Serve topped with more chopped tomatoes.
Note:
Brakishwater and Bull frogs are completely different type of frogs
Bull frogs are said to be poisonous because of the toxins they squirt from their skin.
Even if you remove the skin of a bullfrog, there is no guarantee that they are safe to eat.
