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Pinakbet Vegetable Medley

A classic Ilocano Filipino vegetable dish that simmers bitter melon, eggplant, okra, squash, and long beans together with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) for a deeply savory, umami-rich side.

40 minEasyServes 4180 cal/serving

FilipinoSideStovetopVegetarianLow CarbLow-SodiumPork-Free

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 medium roma tomato, chopped
  • 2 tbsp bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste; sub miso paste for vegetarian)
  • 8 oz kabocha squash (sub butternut), 1-inch cubes
  • 2 small Chinese eggplant, 1-inch rounds
  • 1 medium bitter melon (ampalaya), halved, seeded, sliced
  • 6 oz Chinese long beans or green beans, 2-inch pieces
  • 6 oz fresh or frozen okra, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tsp minced fresh ginger and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add 2 medium chopped roma tomato and cook until it begins to break down, about 2 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste; sub miso paste for vegetarian) and cook 1 minute to bloom the flavor.

  3. 3

    Add 8 oz 1-inch cubes kabocha squash (sub butternut) and stir to coat. Pour in 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add 2 small 1-inch rounds Chinese eggplant, 1 medium halved, seeded, sliced bitter melon (ampalaya), 6 oz 2-inch pieces Chinese long beans or green beans, and 6 oz trimmed fresh or frozen okra. Stir gently to combine.

  5. 5

    Cover and simmer over medium heat until all vegetables are tender but still hold their shape, about 8-10 minutes. Do not over-stir to keep the vegetables intact.

  6. 6

    Taste and adjust seasoning with additional bagoong if desired. Serve as a side with steamed rice.

Questions

How long does Pinakbet Vegetable Medley keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Pinakbet Vegetable Medley?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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