This atchara is a 'labor of love' | ABS-CBN

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This atchara is a 'labor of love'

This atchara is a 'labor of love'

Anna Gabrielle Cerezo,

ABS-CBN News

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Nanay Fely Atchara. Anna Gabrielle Cerezo, ABS-CBN News

Atchara is a pickled Filipino side dish best enjoyed with grilled or fried food.

Filonena Nava, owner of Nanay Fely Atchara, has been making the delicacy for decades and considers it a "labor of love."

"Dapat ang puso mo nasa paggawa. Dapat masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, 'yun ang nagpapasarap," she said.

According to Nava, one must be meticulous in fermenting the atchara. To find the right balance of sourness and sweetness, the vinegar, ginger, and sugar are measured accurately.

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The green papaya, which serves as the main ingredient, is drained completely.

"Pagdating sa papaya, important matanggal lahat ng tubig para di mapanis," she said.

After draining, the papaya is julienned with precision -- as well as the carrots and the onions -- to give them a nice, crunchy texture.

"Five years pa lang ang Nanay Fely's, pero ilang dekada na ako gumagawa ng atchara. Natutunan ko sa nanay ko," Nava said.

She went on: "Dinagdagan ko ng sangkap. Mas marami akong ingredients, na ginagamit na sangkap, kaysa sa nanay ko. Mas sumarap na siya."

Other ingredients in Nanay Fely Atchara include raisins and pineapple chunks. All these are soaked in vinegar infused with ginger and sugar until the flavor naturally develops.

Nava first gave away her atchara as gifts for family and friends, until she was encouraged to put up her own business.

Things turned out well for Nava as Nanay Fely Atchara helped her pay for bills and daily expenses. She said it also played a part in coping with her husband's death.

"Imbis na malungkot lang ako, tinutukan ko na lang ito (business) nang namatay mister ko," she said.

Nanay Fely Atchara is available in four sizes and is priced at P160 to P340 per bottle. Homemade bagoong and gelatin can also be ordered on their Facebook page.

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