Ube Turon (Filipino Purple Yam Spring Rolls)
Ube Turon is a contemporary Filipino dessert that transforms traditional banana turon by featuring sweet purple yam (ube halaya) wrapped in delicate spring roll wrappers and deep-fried until golden and crispy, creating a delightful contrast between the shattering exterior and creamy, violet-hued filling. This innovative street food-inspired treat combines the beloved flavors of ube with the satisfying crunch of turon, often enhanced with additional Filipino ingredients like macapuno (coconut strings) or langka (jackfruit) and served hot with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of condensed milk.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan for cooking the ube mixture
- Fine mesh strainer (pangsala) for achieving smoother ube texture
- Deep frying pan or wok (kawali) for achieving even frying
- Candy/oil thermometer for maintaining proper oil temperature
- Paper towels for draining excess oil
- Small bowl of water for sealing wrappers
- Wooden spoon (sandok na kahoy) for stirring without damaging the ube
- Spider strainer or slotted spoon (sandok na may butas) for removing turon from oil
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 cups cooked/mashed ube purple yam / ube
- ¼ cup sugar asukal
- ¼ cup condensed milk kondensadang gatas
- ¼ cup butter mantikilya
For Assembly and Frying:
- 10 pieces spring roll wrappers lumpia wrapper, cut in half
- Vegetable oil for frying mantika
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar for caramelization asukal
Optional Add-ins:
- Macapuno strings preserved young coconut
- Langka jackfruit strips
- Quick-melt cheese keso
Instructions
- Begin by melting butter in a medium saucepan over low heat (140°F/60°C). Add your condensed milk, sugar, and mashed ube, then stir continuously until everything is well combined. Cook this mixture for 5-10 minutes until it thickens nicely. For an extra smooth texture, you can press it through a fine-mesh strainer. Let this mixture cool completely before moving forward.
- While waiting for your ube mixture to cool, cut your spring roll wrappers in half diagonally. Once the filling has cooled, place about 1½ tablespoons of the ube mixture in the center of each wrapper. If you're using any add-ins like macapuno or langka, place them on top of the ube filling now.
- To wrap your turon, fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in both side corners. Roll everything upward tightly, making sure to keep the filling secure. When you reach the top corner, dab it with a little water to seal it closed. Repeat this process with all your wrappers.
- Now heat your vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test if the oil is ready by dipping the handle of a wooden spoon in it – if small bubbles form around the handle, your oil is ready. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of sugar over the surface of the oil.
- Carefully place your turon in the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes per side until they turn a beautiful golden brown color. Keep the heat at medium to prevent the sugar from burning.
- Remove your turon with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil. Let them cool for just a minute or two – they should still be warm when served.
- Serve your ube turon right away while they're still hot and crispy. You can enjoy them plain, drizzled with condensed milk, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. For the best experience, eat them within a few hours of frying while the wrapper is still crispy.
Tips from Lola's Kitchen
- Allow ube mixture to cool completely before wrapping to prevent wrapper tears
- Don't overfill the wrappers - less is more!
- Keep wrappers covered with damp cloth while working to prevent drying
- Roll as tightly as possible to prevent oil from seeping in
- Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F (175-190°C) for optimal crispiness
- Add sugar to oil in small batches to prevent burning
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 81IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.03mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!