Creamy Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw

Experience the warmth of Filipino home cooking with this Creamy Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw recipe ( literally translates into ‘Creamy Squash and String beans simmered in a savory coconut stew’ ). Deliciously rich, easy, and filling. This comforting ulam turns simple ingredients into a filling, delicious meal.

This Creamy Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw recipe is made with tender cooked squash and string beans simmered in a savory, subtly nutty and sweet coconut based sauce flavored with aromatics and shrimp paste. Choose to add some meat into the recipe or keep it meatless. This versatile ginataang sitaw kalabasa recipe can be enjoyed by itself as a stew or with a side of freshly cooked white or fried rice.

Creamy Ginataang kalabasa at Sitaw Ingredients :

• Oil – for sauteing.
• Squash – filling, colorful, and naturally sweet.
• Ginger, Ginger, and Onions – adds a spicy, warm taste, and aroma.
• Dried hibe –  small shrimps that are packed with salty, umami, and savory flavor.
• Alamang paste – or “shrimp paste” is a very strong umami and salty flavoring.
• Coconut milk – subtly sweet and nutty, used to make the dish creamy.
• Pepper – to taste.
• String beans – for fiber and color.
• Green chillies – to add spice.
• Malunggay leaves – or “moringa leaves” for extra fiber and color.

How to Cook Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw ?

Ingredients :

• 400 grams squash
• 1 thumb ginger ( julienned )
• 3 cloves garlic ( chopped )
• 1 medium onion ( chopped )
• Dried hibe ( small shrimps )
• 1 tablespoon alamang paste ( shrimp paste )
• 2 cups coconut milk
• Pepper to taste
• 2 bunches of string beans ( sliced )
• Green chillies
• Malunggay leaves ( moringa )
• Oil for sauteing

Steps :

1. In a pan, add some oil and saute ginger for a few minutes before adding the garlic. Then saute in the onions until it softens.

2. Add in the dried hibe and saute for a bit before adding the shrimp paste. Cook until the shrimps look dry. Add in the squash, toss until it’s covered with the shrimps.

3. Pour in coconut milk and season with pepper. Cook at medium low heat until the squash is half cooked. Mix in the string beans and green chilies.

4. Cook until the beans are tender. Add in the malunggay leaves. Cook just until these wilts and the squash is soft enough.

Craving for something comforting, flavorful, and so easy to make with simple ingredients? This Sitaw at Kalabasa sa Gata Recipe, is a budget friendly Filipino dish that combines the natural sweetness of squash, the tender crunch of string beans, richness of coconut milk, plus the salty – umami flavors of shrimp paste and dried shrimp in one pot. Great for beginners in the kitchen or for a seasoned cook wanting to try a classic Filipino ulam ( viand ). It’s a perfect nourishing meal you can enjoy by yourself or with loved ones.

Try our other Kalabasa Recipes ( Squash Recipes ) :

Questions: 

• Creamy Kalabasa Recipe calories

For a serving of 1 cup, this dish has around 200 – 250 calories.

• What to serve with this ginataang squash dish?

Enjoy this with white or garlic fried rice, you can also enjoy cheese with mashed or baked potatoes, toss in over cooked noodles like pasta noodles or rice noodles as a substitute for rice, or freshly toasted pandesal or white bread to soak up the sauces.

• Additional Ingredients : 
  • Ginataang Kalabasa Pork ( or “Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw with Pork Recipe” ), add in minced pork or small pork chunks with the sauteed small shrimps, making sure these have changed in color or has turned lightly brown before continuing with the next step.
  • Kalabasa at Sitaw sa Gata with Shrimp (or Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw with Shrimp Recipe ) – Add the shrimps after cooking the squash until tender, you don’t want the shrimp to be overcooked as these may turn too mushy or rubbery. Also, make sure to season these with salt and pepper before adding it into the pot. Make sure the shrimps turn pink before adding the malunggay leaves.
  • Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw with Pork and Shrimp – a combination of above, make sure to cook the pork with the seasonings until browned, and only add in the shrimp after the squash is tender. 
  • Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Crabs Recipe – Check out the recipe link : Ginataang Kalabasa Sitaw at Crab for a complete step by step ‘how to’ video.

Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa Recipe ( Tagalog )

Mga Sangkap :

• 400 gramo kalabasa
• 1 daliri ng luya ( hiniwa ng pahaba )
• 3 butil ng bawang ( tinadtad )
• 1 sibuyas ( hiniwa )
• Dried hibe ( maliliit na hipon )
• 1 kutsara ng bagoong alamang
• 2 tasa gata
• Paminta panlasa 
• 2 bungkos ng sitaw ( hiniwa )
• Siling mahaba
• Dahon ng malunggay
• Mantika panluto

Paano Lutuin :

1. Sa kawali, maginit ng konting mantika at lutuin ang mga luya bago haluan ng bawang. Pagkatapos, lutuin ang mga sibuyas hanggang lumambot.
2. Haluan dito ang hibe at lutuin ng konti bago ihalo ang bagoong alamang. Lutuin hanggang matuyo ang hibe. Ilagay dito ang kalabasa at haluin ng mabuti.
3. Buhusin ang gata at i-season ng paminta. Lutuin sa katamtamang init hanggang lumambot ng konti ang kalabasa. Haluan dito ang sitaw at siling mahaba.
4. Lutuin hanggang mag-tender ang sitaw. Haluan ng malunggay. Lutuin hanggang malanta ito at malambot na malambot na ang kalabasa.