KOMPAS.com – Apart from chicken, fish and beef, North Sulawesi is famous for its extreme meat culinary delights that are rarely found in other areas.
For example, forest rats, snakes and even bats, which can be found at the Extreme Tomohon Market located in Tomohon City.
Processed bat meat typical of Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, is known as panici.
Literally, panici means bat.
Also read: 5 Extreme Food Ingredients Sold in Tomohon, North Sulawesi
This flying mammal is processed into satay and soupy food in Minahasa.
Kompas.comreported that not all bats can be processed and are safe to use as food.
Only fruit-eating bats are processed into food and are commonly found in traditional markets in Minahasa.
Also read: Hanging out teak caterpillars, Gunungkidul’s extreme culinary delights at the start of the rainy season
This type of fruit-eating bat is rich in nutrition because it contains protein and the substance kitotefin which is said to be effective in treating asthma and lung diseases.
Bat illustration.The bat meat is first cut into pieces, then boiled with herbs and spices, such as chilies, onions, lemongrass and ginger.
Paniki tastes a little spicy and savory because of the coconut milk mixture that is also used to cook this dish.
Meanwhile, the texture of cooked bat meat feels a little tough, especially the wings.
Also read: Why is Minahasan food famous for being spicy?
Even though it is known as a traditional Minahasan food, panici is currently not easy to find because the number of bats is decreasing.
The reason is that the natural habitat of bats is getting narrower, as well as fewer fruit trees, and massive hunting activities.
Paniki is now often found at certain moments, such as Christmas and New Year, traditional events and thanksgiving.
Some people also use the same panici spice to prepare chicken meat as a substitute for bat meat.
Also read: Get to know Apang and Balalu, snacks at traditional Minahasa events
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