Fascinating Facts on Why Munggo is Usually Served on Friday

Fascinating Facts on Why Munggo is Usually Served on Friday
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You’ve probably thought about why munggo is usually served on Friday. Well, every Filipino does, and most of us get answers from our grandparents. Some even have no clue about the root of this munggo practice, and they just follow what they know. But one can’t deny that this curiosity pops out of their mind from time to time.

Yes, you deserve some real answers. And the religious explanation is just one of them. There are practical and health reasons too. 

So, read on to learn about them today.

Interesting Answers on Why Munggo is Usually Served on Friday

1. You Shouldn’t Eat Meat on Friday

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Image by adamoslife

This is the most common answer you’ve probably heard from elderlies. Some of them say that people shouldn’t eat meat on Fridays. Although, some say that it only refers to pork. 

But why? Because Jesus Christ has supposedly died on a Friday. Originally, this belief only points to the Good Friday in the Holy Week. But some Spaniard friars taught our ancestors that it includes other Fridays too.

Now, why munggo? There are many other veggies and crops that people can eat after all.

This leads you to the next two big reasons. 

2. Munggo is a Good Protein Substitute

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Image by egos.appetite

If people can’t eat pork and other meat products, then they should find another source of protein. And munggo bean is rich in protein among other nutrients. Simply put, people want to fill nutrients that they need. That’s why munggo is usually served on Friday.

Just a cup of boiled munggo beans has around 14.2gm of protein, 38.7gm of carbohydrates, and 15.4gm of fiber. Munggo also has folate, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, copper, potassium, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6. Munggo has good antioxidant properties too.

And that’s more than just filling the protein that people need!

3. Munggo is a Practical Food Choice

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Image by mj_par_advincula

Yes, one can argue that those nutrients in munggo are also available in other vegetables. But munggo has an advantage that other options cannot provide. It is super practical. 

First, munggo is a cheap ingredient that even the poorest Filipinos can afford. This is true today, and it is from a few hundred years ago too. Just a little amount and you can have a handful of munggo beans that is good for one or a few full meals.

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Image by bachochoy

And second, it doesn’t easily spoil. Remember that our ancestors don’t have electricity during the Spanish occupation yet; let alone having fridges for food storage. That’s why they need ingredients that last for a few days or weeks.

Now, what does that having to do with munggo on Fridays? Because many of our ancestors consider Sunday as market time. They buy ingredients that they would consume over the week. When Friday comes, only the ingredients that don’t easily spoil remain in their storage.

And you guess it! They probably have munggo beans late in a week.

From here, you can tie up these three factors together, and understand why munggo is usually served on Friday. Of course, the first and third reasons may not be true for many today. But the practice has remained for Filipinos.

Munggo Beans and Bayanihan

Aside from eating munggo on Fridays, some other beliefs involve the bean in the Philippines too. For example, some households believe that cooking munggo right at midnight on New Year’s Eve can bring good luck. But no tradition about munggo has become popular other than the Bayanihan.

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Image by creations_by_teamcalder

Now, what is Bayanihan? Isn’t it the spirit of helping each other amid adversities? Not really. Truth is, it originally involves a specific activity of moving a nipa hut from one place to another. 

A group of men would carry the nipa hut on their shoulders through the whole process. Commonly, women cheer for them at the side and even wipe their sweat along. Then, a bountiful feast awaits the group after the job.

Traditionally, the feast includes ginisang munggo in its menu. That’s because of the health benefits that it offers; making it perfect after tiring work. It is cheap as well; meaning, it is easy to feed a group of people without spending big.

Today, parents tell their kids to eat munggo to become strong. That is because of the old Bayanihan tradition that has become a great Filipino value through the years. But of course, that is because of the nutrients that munggo has as well. They all help in putting anybody in good shape.

Enjoy Munggo Anytime and in Any Recipe You Want Today!

Now, you know why munggo is usually served on Friday. But of course, you can enjoy munggo anytime in a week and in any recipe you want! You can go for the classic ginisa, sinabawan, or ginataang munggo, or go for sweets such as munggo bread, hopiang munggo, or munggo ice candy, among others. Although, it isn’t bad to enjoy the old practice with your family sometimes. 

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Lutong Bahay Recipe is a website dedicated in introducing different dishes in the Filipino Cuisine to the world. We feature various recipes like meals and snacks, which you can cook right at your own home. In fact, the term “lutong-bahay or lutong bahay” translates to “Home cooked”, and the site aims to help you with that. Filipino, Asian or not, you’re welcome to browse through the site for the best and popular Filipino dishes. Get the recipes you want, so you and your companions could have a great time on the table.

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