Glossary I
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Ital Food refers to the food of the Rastafarians, a vegetarian cuisine that does not make use of salt. The red, green and gold Rasta colors on dining establishments serves as a clue to locating Ital restaurants serving Ital Food.
Ital food is derived from the word "vital food" (Self-determination of the black race resulted in the Rastafarians usage of the word 'I" to replace the first letter of many words). Ital food means it is natural, pure and clean food. For a Rastafarian it means no salt, no chemicals, no flesh, no blood, no whites (called whiteblood), no alcohol, no cigarettes and no drugs (herbsare not considered drugs).
Rastafarians avoid salt, oil and meat. Their dietary laws are similar to the laws followed by Jews in Leviticus 11. Fish must be less than a foot long. No shell fish or fish without scales. Pork is especially condemned amongst Rastafarians. It is so important to not put the wrong thing in your body that some Rastafarians never cook in aluminum pots as it is said to leave traces of metal in the food that can get in your body. Cooking in a clay pot is popular among Rastafarians.
Rastafarians see their food as a way to be one with nature and also as medicine for the body, as it builds your "strucha" (Patois or the word structure). There are also strict hygienic laws that Rastafarians follow.
Natural food and drinks called 'Ital' food by Rastafarians has influenced Jamaica's culinary arts.
Inipit refers to a kind of sweet bread which is the specialty of Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines. Inipit which literally means "pressed" refers to the custard-filled sandwich, that has earned Bulacan a name for itself. Ingredients such as eggs, milk, sugar and butter make up the chiffon sandwich. The custard filling, which is the secret ingredient of the producers of Inipit is the clincher to this delicious "Inipit" delicacy.
Likewise, Inipit is one of the famous sweet delicacies of Bulacan. These are little rectangles of chiffon, made from eggs, milk, sugar and butter, with filling. Custard, caramel and Ube (violet yam) are the more popular filling flavors. It taste delicious and although it appears lightweight it is surprisingly filling.
Inipit is available in some stores in Metro Manila which sells products from Bulacan. Some shops in Guiguinto, Bulacan, such as Eurobake and Barasoain Bakeshop are two of the famous Inipit sellers.