Bandi!

We love sweets and this is mirrored in the continuous number of diabetic cases in our country. Haha! Sweets from our local delicacies are favorite pasalubongs and ne of the best treats to bring back home is bandi or peanut brittle.

Bandi is a popular treat in Antique as well as in the town of San Joaquin which is also the last town in Iloilo before Antique. Bandi is made of peanuts and caramelized sugar garnished with sesame seeds. What makes bandi different from the usual peanut brittle is the quality of their peanuts and sugar. The peanuts are of their best and I think they are roasted and not overcooked. The carmelized sugar is made from brown sugar and its is a little bit bitter which makes its a good combination to the peanuts. Its bitter-like caramel makes bandi palatable to adults. They also have cashew nuts but I still prefer the dark caramelized peanut bandi.

In San Joaquin and Antique, it is a normal afternoon snack for kids specially cooked by their lolas and titas. It has also become a major source of livelohood with some people exporting as far as in West Asia and Brunei.

My dad who is noted for his sweet tooth loves bandi. My mom bought a lot when we saw this mini fair at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol last month.

Bandi usually comes in round shapes ( big and small) while others have them in rectangles. My son persisted to buy him this big bandi which is bigger than his own face. haha!

This small tarp gave me instant knowledge on bandi.

My son really loves bandi.  Shocking enough that he ate half of that big bandi. He gave a loud burp after drinking water. Hahahaa!

You can buy bandi at cheaper price at Tiolas, San Joaquin just before you enter the province of Antique. However, these sweets are widely available in most supermarkets and groceries in Iloilo City.