Lombok Island is an island that has a unique vegetable dish made from young banana stems, namely Ares. Ares are a traditional dish from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and you can find them at several Lombok traditional events.

If you want to go to Lombok for a vacation or just want to taste a different food, you can eat this.

History Of Ares

Ares is a term given by the Sasak people for young banana tree trunks. Uniquely, ares vegetables can only be made from kepok bananas. Usually, this food is mixed with cayenne pepper and coconut milk to create a delicious spicy and savory taste.

Ares were created because in the past the Sasak people were good at utilizing the ingredients around them, one of which was banana stems. Initially, ares vegetables were only cooked for traditional events such as weddings, thanksgiving, or other big events.

This dish has a long and unique history in Lombok. When Lombok Island experienced a long drought, many plants died except for banana trees that continued to grow. In the midst of famine, livestock were fed with green banana stems.

People began to see the nutritional value and deliciousness of these banana stems, and eventually began to process them into dishes with kitchen spices. This dish is known as Ares, taken from the name of the traditional dish he created.

Ares have many benefits for our bodies. The high fiber in ares can help people with ulcers or stomach acid. Ares are also high in iron and vitamin B6, which are beneficial for our muscles in producing hemoglobin and body insulin. In addition, Ares are believed to be effective in helping treat cholesterol and high blood pressure.

The Uniqueness Of Ares

The most prominent characteristic of Ares is because its main ingredient is made from banana stems. In Indonesia, food with banana stems as the main ingredient is still very rare.

This young banana stem has a soft texture but remains crunchy when consumed. Ares is cooked with coconut milk sauce seasoned with quality spices to add flavor and aroma that is appetizing.

Usually, Ares will also be more complete if added with pieces of meat which makes it rich in flavor. The process of making Ares usually takes about 1.5 hours to 2 hours for the spices to be absorbed and create a distinctive flavor. The unique taste of Ares makes it a culinary icon on Lombok Island.

Ares is one of the mandatory menus served for every celebration or party ceremony such as wedding receptions, circumcisions, thanksgiving events, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, and others. Uniquely, if ares vegetable is not served in celebrations or big community ceremonies, then the celebration is considered invalid or not blessed.

How to make Ares is quite simple, just cut the banana stem, then mix it with spices and coconut milk. Although cooked with coconut milk, the taste is a unique combination of sweet and savory.

This traditional dish is also often the most awaited dish especially for people from outside Lombok. So, if you are going to visit or are in Lombok, you must try it!