We spent the entire day touring Zamboanga City. While we were exhausted, the anticipation of our dinner kept our spirits high, especially mine!
After a brief rest and freshening up at our hotel (naks!), we set out for Palmeras Restaurant, one of the city’s renowned dining establishments known for its diverse Filipino dishes.
Soon enough, dishes started arriving at our table one after the other. If you’d seen how starving we were, you’d expect us to dive right into the feast. But that wasn’t the case. After all, we’re bloggers! Naturally, we had to snap photos—loads of them—before anyone dared to touch the food.
I took a quick picture and was done. However, you wouldn’t believe the lengths my fellow bloggers went to for their shots. They had lighting setups and ensured proper plating—it was like witnessing a studio photoshoot.
The meal was delightful. I relished every Filipino dish and found myself stuffed, mainly from all the rice I consumed! But the dining experience wasn’t over. The showstopper was still on its way.
Moments later, waiters approached bearing enormous glasses filled with a vibrant pink concoction. It turned out to be strawberry ice cream atop a medley of freshly cut fruits—an iconic Zamboanga dessert. With great flair (drum rolls, please!), they presented the Knickerbocker!
Naturally, we all gathered around the tray, filled with more than 20 Knickerbockers, for—you guessed it—more photos!
Wow!
Each of us was then presented with a glass of this delightful treat. I was especially fond of the fruits; they were crisp and fresh, and they paired perfectly with the ice cream.
Many suggest that this is the local counterpart to halo-halo. While there may be some similarities, there’s a distinct difference, primarily because the knickerbocker boasts fresh fruits. It’s a superior, healthier choice for those with a penchant for sweets.
Wondering what fruits make up a glass of knickerbocker? It consists of a fresh mix of apple, banana, mango, and watermelon. Yes, it’s incredibly refreshing! This is then enriched with milk and crowned with a delectable scoop of strawberry ice cream. The fruits are crisp and sweet. While this might not be suitable for those monitoring their blood sugar levels, remember that visits to Zamboanga aren’t an everyday occurrence—so give it a try! If you can’t finish the whole serving, at least give it a taste.
Knickerbocker!
I devoured it. Yes, my entire knickerbocker!
It was my first time tasting it, and I was more than satisfied. Its taste piqued our curiosity, prompting us to bombard our tour organizers—who hailed from Zamboanga—with questions about knickerbockers.
Interestingly, even they weren’t entirely certain about the dessert’s origins or the story behind it. What’s clear, though, is that the dessert was popularized by Palmeras and subsequently spread throughout the city. With the rise of blogs and social media, the knickerbocker has gained popularity not just in Zamboanga, but across the nation.
Planning a trip to Zamboanga in the near future? You’re in for a culinary treat. Make sure to sample Curacha and Satti. And for those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on the knickerbocker!
Note: Thank you Department of Tourism Region 9 for inviting me to experience Zamboanga. I really enjoyed it!
More Zamboanga Blog Posts:
- Once Islas: Zamboanga’s newest island-hopping paradise
- Curacha and a Lot More Flavors of Zamboanga
- Satti of Zamboanga
- Dumaguete to Zamboanga by Ferry
- The Grand Celebration of Zamboanga Hermosa Festival 2019
- Pastil of Zamboanga
- Sta. Cruz Island: The Pink Beach of Zamboanga
- Manila to Zamboanga by Ferry
- Best Filipino Dishes
- Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay: Mindanao’s Next Top Eco-Tourism Site
