Ube is a purple yam commonly used in Filipino cuisine and is naturally dairy-free. However, how it’s prepared can determine whether the final product is dairy-free or not. Ube can be used in various dishes and desserts, some of which may contain dairy.
For example, ube ice cream or ube cake might contain dairy ingredients like milk or butter. But if you’re making an ube dish at home, it can easily be made dairy-free by using dairy-free alternatives.
If you’re eating out or purchasing a pre-made ube dish or dessert, you’ll want to check the ingredients or ask to ensure it is dairy-free.
12 Different Dairy-Free Foods to Make with Ube
Ube Jam (Halaya)
This is a traditional Filipino dessert. Start by peeling and grating the ube yams. Then, cook it on low heat with coconut milk and a sweetener (like coconut sugar) until it becomes thick and jam-like. It’s delicious spread on toast or used as a filling in pastries.
Dairy-Free Ube Ice Cream
Combine coconut cream, coconut milk, sugar, and pureed ube in a blender until smooth. Transfer the contents to an ice cream maker and churn to your liking. The result is a creamy, purple, dairy-free ice cream with a unique and delicious flavor.
Ube Butter
This dairy-free butter is made by blending cooked ube, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt until smooth. It’s an excellent spread for toast.
Ube Smoothie
Blend frozen ube, a banana, dairy-free milk (almond or coconut), and a sweetener like honey or agave until smooth. This vibrant purple smoothie is a healthy, dairy-free treat.
Ube Pancakes
Make a standard pancake batter, replace some liquid with pureed ube, and use dairy-free milk. The result is a stack of fluffy, purple pancakes with delicious taste.
Ube Muffins
Substitute some liquid with ube puree in your regular muffin recipe and use dairy-free milk. The ube gives the muffins a beautiful purple color and a sweet, earthy flavor.
Ube Rice Pudding
Cook rice in coconut milk, sugar, and mashed ube until it’s creamy, and the rice is tender. This twist on a classic dessert is naturally dairy-free and delicious.
Ube Coconut Curry
Sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and spices; add chunks of ube and coconut milk. Simmer until the ube is tender in this savory, dairy-free dish.
Ube Fries
Slice ube into thin strips, toss with olive oil and your favorite spices, then bake until crispy. These make a fun, colorful alternative to regular French fries.
Ube Roasted Veggie Bowl
Roast chunks of ube with other vegetables like peppers, onions, and broccoli in olive oil and seasonings. Serve over quinoa or rice for a hearty, dairy-free meal.
Ube Hummus
Combine cooked ube, chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth in a blender. This purple hummus is a great dairy-free snack or appetizer.
Ube Popsicles
Blend coconut milk, ube, and a sweetener like honey or agave, then pour into popsicle molds and freeze. These dairy-free popsicles are a fun and tasty way to cool down on a hot day.
Dairy-Free Ube Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of ube (purple yam)
- 1 can (13.5 oz) of full-fat coconut milk
- 1 can (13.5 oz) of coconut cream
- 3/4 cup of sugar (adjust based on your preference)
- 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by cooking the ube. Peel the ube and cut it into chunks. Steam or boil until tender, then let it cool.
- Combine the cooled ube, coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste and add more sugar if necessary.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Once the ice cream has reached a soft-serve consistency, you can serve it immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it for 4-5 hours for a firmer consistency.
Serve your dairy-free ube ice cream in bowls or cones, and enjoy!
Please note that this recipe assumes you have access to an ice cream maker. If you don’t have one, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow dish, stirring every 30 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency, though the texture may not be as creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ube vegan?
Yes, ube itself is vegan. It’s a type of purple yam, a plant-based food. However, whether a dish made with ube is vegan depends on the other ingredients used in the recipe.
Is ube vegetarian?
Yes, ube is vegetarian. It’s a root vegetable and completely plant-based.
Is ube gluten-free?
Yes, ube is naturally gluten-free. However, dishes prepared with ube might contain gluten, depending on the other ingredients used.
Is ube healthy?
Yes, ube is healthy. It’s high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s also low in fat and contains no cholesterol.
Is ube jam dairy-free?
Traditional ube jam, or ube halaya, can be made dairy-free using coconut milk instead of condensed milk or butter. Always check the ingredients or ask if you’re not making it yourself.
Is ube ice cream dairy-free?
Ube ice cream can be made dairy-free with alternatives like coconut or almond milk. However, commercially made ube ice cream often contains dairy, so it’s important to read labels.
How can I serve ube halaya?
Ube halaya can be served as a dessert, spread on toast, as a filling for bread or pastries, or as a topping for pancakes and waffles.
How can I store ube halaya?
You can store ube halaya in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for a week or frozen for up to a month. Don’t forget to thaw it before using it and check for freshness.
