Filipino-Style Spaghetti

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Filipino-style spaghetti is a rebellious version of the Italian one. Not only does it have hotdogs but it has a striking red color, is sweet and spicy and has a thick sauce made from banana ketchup and tomato paste. If you don’t have access to banana ketchup, use tomato ketchup and add a teaspoon or so of sugar to achieve that delicious balance of sweet and savory Filipino spaghetti is known for. For the Filipino hotdogs, you can substitute cubed ham, Spam or Vienna sausages.

How to Make Filipino-style Spaghetti:

1. Cook spaghetti noodles in salted boiling water until tender but firm. Drain in a colander and toss with 1 tablespoon oil to prevent from sticking.
2. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over a medium-high heat. Add sliced hotdogs and cook, stirring until brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on a plate lined with paper towel. Set aside.
3. Using the same skillet, sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add the ground pork and cook until juices from the meat have evaporated and the meat is brown, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste and banana sauce. Stir to combine and blend the flavors. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the sliced hotdogs.
5. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti and sprinkle with grated cheese.