"Ulam" are plants that can be eaten raw, as a form of local salad. The "Ulam" is traditionally a Malay dish, but has become very popular to Malaysians, and is also popular among tourists who have acquired the taste for the wonders of this delight. Today "Ulam" is available at most major hotels in the country as a favourite in buffet lunch or dinner.
Basically Malaysian "Ulams" are very high preferred. Our kampong folks healthy because of nutritions , vitamins and minerals obtained from eating "Ulam " for example onions, cucumber, spear mint and pennywort .
Spring Onion (Bawang Merah)
The picture shows the flower of spring onions another plant to grow at home. They are cultivated from seeds or from the onion bulbs. With this plant, the bulb, leaves and even the flowers can be eaten raw as an "Ulam".
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The second aspect is that "Ulam" is usually taken raw or lightly steamed. This makes it vitamin and mineral content more natural and unaltered by the heat of cooking, very much like the western idea of taking salad.
Cosmos (Ulam Raja)
The "Ulam Raja"Ulam" that is usually taken raw. "Ulam Raja" shoots is translated means the King's salad. The scientific name for the plant is Cosmos caudatus. There are many types of "Ulam Raja". The two main types that are popular have pink or white flowers. A more common hybrid of "Ulam Raja" are the yellow flowered varieties or Cosmos sulphureus.
The shoots of these yellow varieties too can be eaten as "Ulam". However experts in "Ulam" claims that Cosmos caudatus or "Ulam Raja asli" also called "Ulam Raja tulin" taste better than the hybrids of Cosmos sulphureus which the local calls "Ulam Raja kuning". The picture shows two varieties Cosmos sulphureus or "Ulam Raja kuning". The photograph on the left shows the flower of the "Ulam Raja tulin", and below the edible young shoots that are used for "Ulam" and usually taken with "sambal belacan" a dip made from a mixture of pounded chilli, raw onions, shrimp paste (belacan) and lime juice.
Thirdly, "Ulam" is usually a back yard crop which means it is not farm based, However because of the growing popularity the common Ulams are now begining to be farmed. It is best to just grow your own in pots or small plots of land around your house. ""Ulams" are naturally local wild plants.
Cucumber (Timun)
The cucumber is a farm vegetable fruit that can be cooked or taken raw as "Ulam". The picture shows a cucumber fruit and some flowers. This is a climbing plant and can be grown along fences. It can be planted from seeds.
Greens such as most leafly "Ulams" and cucumber are generally considered cooling for the body. In Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, "Ulam" is taken with some form of spices or other such as Sambal belacan, thus becomes a check and balance.
Most important is the variety of Ulam taken by our kampong folks provides them with minute traces of nutritional elements and minerals thus is believed to provide them balance healthy diet as well as extend their life span. Also their daily work is not sitting in the office but farming, fishing, cooking and keeping house a fair share of exercise and sweat.
Finally, do not over do . In short a little is good. Observation of our kampong folks shows that they normally take a large variety (many types) of "Ulams" and in small amounts and do not over eat
Torch Ginger Flower (Bunga Kantan)There are various species and varieties of Bunga Kantan. The most common type is the Pink variety. The flowers of this ginger plant can be eaten raw or cook. It is popular and frequently used in curry recipes. It forms an important ingredient in the famous "Penang Assam Laksa" and "Kerabu Kedah".
The picture (left) shows the buds of two different varieties of Bunga Kantan. Use the buds for cooking and salad (Ulam).
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