Kalabasa Is Oh So Versatile

Kalabasa is yummy.  Although it’s not really a vegetable, it’s considered as one. It’s beneficial to your health and there are so many ways to incorporate it into your diet because it’s very versatile. 😃

Kalabasa And Its Versatility

Kalabasa in English is squash or pumpkin. Here in the Philippines, it’s often cooked in coconut milk. A good example of this particular kalabasa recipe is the Ginataang Kalabasa.

Kalabsa is also a popular ingredient in another local dish called Pinakbet. It’s so versatile that you can also use it to cook some okoy or fritters.

Kalabsa is also a popular ingredient in another local dish called Pinakbet. It’s so versatile that you can also use it to cook some okoy or fritters. 

Interestingly, a food delivery service called Buns ‘N Choices offers some tasty kalabasa pandesal. This is just to show you how versatile it is. 👍

At home, I also use kalabasa to make my favorite comfort food … my very own kalabasa soup.

My Favorite Kalabasa Recipe

My favorite kalabasa recipe is my local version of pumpkin soup. It’s very easy to make but I have to warn you that it smells.

The reason for the smell is because I put in a lot of cumin powder. However, it’s worth it because it tastes so good.

Of course, my son never joins me when I eat it because of the smell but it’s okay. It’s my alone time. 😁

Here are the ingredients of my favorite kalabasa recipe:

• Kalabasa (of course!)
• Garlic
• Onions
• Red hot chilies
• Cumin
• Knorr cubes
• Coconut milk (this is what makes it very creamy. 😄)

As I said, my kalabasa soup is very easy to make. I usually start off by sauteeing a lot of garlic and onions in olive oil. Then I add in the pieces of kalabasa.

Once I add in the kalabasa and the red hot chilies, I pour in some water. The amount of water you pour in depends on how you want your soup to be.

I usually like it thick so I add just enough to boil and soften the kalabasa. The good thing about not adding too much water at the start is that you can always add more when you reheat it.

Once you add the water, add in some cumin and Knorr cubes. As I mentioned previously, I add in a lot of cumin. As for the Knorr cubes, I usually add in two pieces.

You can choose which flavor of the Knorr cubes to use. I usually use pork or beef. Finally, add in some coconut milk. I highly recommend Coco Mama. It will add creaminess to your soup.❤️

Then cover the pan and wait for the kalabasa to soften. Pair it with some crackers and you’re good to go. Once you get used to the taste, you’ll be craving it.

A Ginataang Kalabasa Recipe

Here’s another favorite dish of ours, ginataang kalabasa. The kalabasa, together with the other ingredients, is cooked in coconut milk. This is a very easy dish to cook.

Ginataang gulay (vegetables cooked in coconut milk) is very popular among Filipinos probably because of the abundance of coconut milk and local vegetables.

This ginataang kalabasa recipe is from our favorite chef, Vanjo Merano.

A Gulay Recipe With Kalabasa

A very popular gulay recipe with kalabasa is the pinakbet. This is a well-known Ilocos dish that has become a staple in Filipino homes.

Check out Chef Vanjo Merano’s video below for his yummy pinakbet recipe. 😀

Health Benefits Of Kalabasa

Kalabasa is a rich source of folate, which helps to keep your heart healthy. In addition to that, it can also help to regulate the levels of cholesterol, and thus reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke.

There are very few foods that provide these types of benefits, making it one of the most beneficial vegetables on the planet. It’s also a healthy way to lose weight because it can increase the body’s metabolism. 

There are very few foods that provide these types of benefits, making it one of the most beneficial vegetables on the planet. It’s also a healthy way to lose weight because it can increase the body’s metabolism.

In addition to that, it’s also high in potassium and magnesium. These are important nutrients to the human body. Potassium helps the body to maintain electrolytes. Magnesium helps to make proteins and prevents muscle cramps.

In addition to that, it’s also high in potassium and magnesium. These are important nutrients to the human body. Potassium helps the body to maintain electrolytes. Magnesium helps to make proteins and prevents muscle cramps.

By providing all of these benefits, eating nutrient-rich kalabasa dishes can be an effective way to improve your physical health.

Kalabasa Can Also Be Used For Baking

I haven’t had the chance to use kaabasa for baking. I usually just end up buying pumpkin pie. Nonetheless, kalabasa can also be used as the main ingredient for tasty desserts.

The flavor of the sweet orange-flavored flesh is very pleasing when baked in a variety of different styles of bread. When added to cakes and other dessert dishes, it adds an extra dimension of sweetness and contributes to the richer, creamier flavor of the final dish.

The flavor of the sweet orange-flavored flesh is very pleasing when baked in a variety of different styles of bread. When added to cakes and other dessert dishes, it adds an extra dimension of sweetness and contributes to the richer, creamier flavor of the final dish.

Kalabasa is definitely very versatile There’s a lot that you can do with it. 😄

What is your favorite kalabasa dish? Feel free to share with us some of your thoughts. We would love to hear from you.