Inkalti refers to an Ilocano's molasses-based dessert; sweet snack made of rice balls which are dipped in boiling molasses. Bamboo sticks (usually used for barbecues) are used to take the rice balls out of the pan and in dipping process. It is the Ilocano version of "Swiss Fondue".
Other varities of foods dipped in molasses are sliced Saba (banana), Camote (sweet potato) and sliced male papaya trunk dipped all dipped in boiling molasses.
Inkalti is essentially foods cooked on the table a la Fondue, as in rice balls (Inkalti nga Bilo-Bilo) , trunk of papaya (Inkalti nga Papaya), banana (Inkalti nga Saba) .
Personal Note: I think I must go back to Ilocos and find out more about this food. I have been to Ilocos Sur several times, I spent one Christmas in Vigan, but I have never seen this food presented on any restaurants. Maybe I have to go farther north and visit again Ilocos Norte. I hope somebody can enlighten me, too about this Ilocano sweet snack. I am really very curious about this, especially the Inkalti nga Papaya as I didnt know that papaya trunks can be used as food.
List of books: Inkalti