I ate many of these as a young girl growing up in the Philippines. We had many coconuts in our backyard and we would make them as treats in the summertime. Ice buko (pronounced boo-koh) comes in different variations (check out this link). The base is either evaporated milk and sugar or condensed milk and young coconut water. Fresh and delicious coconut shreds are added to the mix before they get frozen, hence the name" ice buko" which literally means ice and young coconuts.
I started making my own version using coconut milk when we were in Maui. I had to postpone sharing it here as I didn't have a popsicle mold that was photogenic enough. When we came back from our vacation, I went to several stores in Toronto but just couldn't find any...Amazon eventually saved the day!
I made them again today as some homesickness struck me. I miss my family back home. I also miss all the tropical fruits in our backyard especially "buko." I was lucky to be able to get some fresh ones this time. My friend Lenie brought them for me from an Oriental store. So here is "Ice Buko." I hope you'll try and enjoy them as much as I do.
"Ice Buko" (Coconut Popsicles)
Ingredients:
1 13.5 oz. can organic coconut milk ( see suggestions)
1/4 c. (or more) maple syrup
1/2 c. shredded young coconut meat (or coconut flakes)
Method:
1.Cut up the young coconut meat into small shreds or if using the dried version, just crunch them with your hand into smaller pieces. Place them into the popsicle molds, approximately 2 Tbsp. each.
2. Blend the coconut milk and maple syrup until well incorporated. Adjust the taste then pour the mixture into each mold until it reaches full capacity.
3. Place a popsicle stick in each mold and freeze for approximately 5-6 hours.
4. To remove the popsicles, place the mold in warm water until they loosen and come off.
Suggestions:
1. Make sure not to use light coconut milk as it does not have the same ice cream like taste.
2. You can also add strawberries (or any fruit of your choice), chopped into small pieces. I tried this a few weeks ago and loved it!
Of course the best place to eat this popsicle would be by the beach...especially in Hawaii.
