Get ready to fall in love with Kalabasa - also known as Squash! From soups to quiches and everything in between, we've rounded up 25 of the best Kalabasa recipes. Whether you're in the mood for something sweet, savory, or a little bit of both, we've got you covered.
How Do I Choose A Good Kalabasa For Cooking?
When choosing a kalabasa for cooking, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, look for a squash that feels heavy for its size, as this indicates that it is full of flesh and has a good moisture content.
The skin should be smooth and firm, without any soft spots or bruises. Additionally, look for a stem that is still attached and appears fresh, as this can indicate the squash's overall freshness.
What Is The Best Method To Cook Kalabasa?
There are many ways to cook kalabasa, depending on your preferences and the dish you are making. One popular method is to roast it in the oven, either whole or chopped into smaller pieces, with some oil and seasonings.
This brings out the squash's natural sweetness and gives it a nice caramelized flavor. Another option is to steam or boil the kalabasa, which can be a quick and easy way to prepare it for soups, stews, or mashed dishes.
25 Recipes With Kalabasa
Spice up your dishes with these 25 delicious and healthy Kalabasa recipes, from soups to quiches and more:
1. Best Ginataang Kalabasa
This Vegan Ginataang Kalabasa (Squash with Coconut Milk) recipe is a classic Filipino dish that is both comforting and healthy. The kabocha squash cubes are simmered in coconut milk, making the dish creamy and flavorful. Moringa or spinach leaves add an extra layer of nutrition, and green onions provide a fresh flavor to balance out the creaminess of the dish.
Perfect for vegans or anyone looking for a meatless meal, this dish is best served over steamed rice for a satisfying and hearty meal. And if you don't have kabocha squash, feel free to substitute it with any other type of squash or pumpkin.
2. Ginataang Hipon, Sitaw, at Kalabasa
This Ginataang Hipon, Sitaw, at Kalabasa recipe is a traditional Filipino dish that features shrimp, string beans, and kalabasa squash cooked in coconut milk. The dish is elevated with the use of bagoong alamang or shrimp paste, which adds a unique umami flavor that blends perfectly with the sweetness of the kalabasa and the freshness of the sitaw. Malunggay leaves add a nutritious element to the dish.
This flavorful and comforting dish is perfect for a family dinner or a potluck with friends. Serve over steamed rice and enjoy the rich and creamy flavors that the coconut milk brings to the dish. And if you don't have sitaw, feel free to substitute with green beans or any other type of long beans.
3. Tortang Kalabasa with Malunggay
This Tortang Kalabasa with Malunggay recipe is a Filipino-style omelet that features thinly sliced squash and malunggay leaves. The combination of these two nutritious vegetables gives the dish a unique flavor and texture.
Sliced onions add a bit of sweetness to the dish, while the beaten eggs hold everything together. The mixture is then formed into round patties and fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior. This dish is perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack. Serve with spiced vinegar for an extra kick of flavor.
4. Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa Recipe
This ginataang sitaw at kalabasa recipe is yet another Filipino dish that features tender pork cubes, string beans, and butternut squash in creamy coconut milk and shrimp paste sauce. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for cool evenings.
To make this recipe, sauté garlic, and onion in cooking oil and add pork cubes until brown. Pour in beef broth and coconut milk, then add squash and string beans. Let the flavors meld together as it cooks in low to medium heat until pork is tender. This dish is typically served over steamed rice, but it's also great with warm crusty bread.
5. Longanisa Fried Rice and Ginisang Corned Beef with Kalabasa
Longanisa fried rice and ginisang corned beef with kalabasa is a hearty Filipino breakfast or brunch meal that's sure to satisfy. For the longanisa fried rice, combine leftover rice with salt and gently mix. Cook beaten eggs until done and set aside. Remove the casing from the longanisa, cook it in a pan until brown, then add the salted rice, stir-fry, and add carrots and green peas.
For the ginisang corned beef with kalabasa, sauté garlic, and onion in oil until onion softens, then add corned beef and cook for 3 minutes. Add butternut squash, pour water, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Serve the corned beef with longanisa fried rice, and you've got yourself a filling and flavorful breakfast.
6. Munggo, Kalabasa At Chorizo
This hearty and flavorful dish combines the earthy flavor of Mung beans with the sweetness of butternut squash and the smokiness of chorizo. It's the perfect comfort food for cold weather.
This recipe uses rich chicken stock to cook the Mung beans to plump and tender, then simmers the squash and sausage to infuse the flavors. Finally, spinach is added for some fresh green color and nutrition. This a simple and easy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight meal, and if you're looking for a substitute for chorizo, you can use andouille or kielbasa sausage.
7. Kalabasa Soup
This creamy and healthy Kalabasa Soup, also known as Squash Soup, is perfect for rainy days. This recipe is hearty and delicious, and it will make you feel warm and cozy. The butternut squash is roasted to bring out its natural sweetness, then blended with water until it is smooth and creamy.
The addition of sauteed onions and garlic, along with coconut milk, makes it even more flavorful and fragrant. The soup is then simmered to meld all the flavors together, and it's ready to serve with your favorite bread. This recipe is ideal for a comforting and nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
8. Alugbati Kalabasa Talong with Giniling
This Filipino vegetable dish is a simple and healthy recipe that's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Alugbati, also known as Malabar Spinach, is used in this recipe along with Kalabasa and Talong, all cooked with ground chicken, beef, or pork.
The vegetables are cooked until tender, and the meat is flavored with garlic, onion, and fish sauce. This dish is a perfect combination of healthy and flavorful ingredients that your family will surely love. It's also easy to customize by adding more veggies or adjusting the seasoning to your taste.
9. Malunggay Kalabasa Balls
These Malunggay Kalabasa Balls with Sweet and Sour Sauce are a perfect snack or appetizer that's packed with flavor and nutrition. The balls are made by combining mashed Kalabasa, flour, milk, egg, bread crumbs, malunggay leaves, and shredded chicken adobo flakes, and then shaped into round balls and fried until crispy.
They are then served with a tangy and sweet sauce made with sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch, and pineapple chunks. The addition of sesame oil gives the sauce an extra flavor boost. These balls are a fun and delicious way to add more veggies to your diet, and they're easy to make, too!
10. Kalabasa, Carrots and Malunggay Ukoy
Kalabasa, Carrots, and Malunggay Ukoy (Okoy) recipe is a delicious and healthy take on the traditional Filipino fritter. The fritters are made with grated Kalabasa, carrots, and malunggay, which add a lot of nutrition to the dish.
The vegetables are mixed with garlic, onion, flour, and cornstarch, and then fried until golden and crispy. The batter is flavored with salt, pepper, and optional seasoning, and bound together with egg and cold water. The result is a crispy, tasty, and nutritious snack that's perfect for any time of day. These fritters are great as an appetizer, side dishes, or even a light meal. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
11. Ginisang Kalabasa At Repolyo
This Ginisang Kalabasa at Repolyo recipe is a simple and healthy dish that's perfect for a weeknight meal. It's made with sliced kalabasa and repolyo (cabbage), sauteed with garlic, onion, and thinly sliced pork until the meat becomes brown. Then, soy sauce is added to season the dish, and water is poured to let it simmer until the squash becomes tender.
The cabbage is then added last and cooked for a few more minutes until it's wilted and softened. The dish is then seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. This recipe is a perfect combination of protein and vegetables that's flavorful and nutritious.
12. Best Ginataang Kalabasa
Vegan Ginataang Kalabasa is a hearty and flavorful Filipino vegetable dish that's perfect for those looking for a healthy and delicious meal. Made with kabocha squash, coconut milk, and a variety of aromatics and seasonings, this recipe is both easy to make and packed with flavor.
The addition of moringa or spinach leaves adds a nutritious boost to the dish, while the green onions provide a pop of freshness. Serve this soup with steamed rice for a comforting and satisfying meal that's sure to please.
13. Kalabasa Pasta (Filipino Squash Pasta)
This Kalabasa Pasta recipe is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for those who love creamy pasta dishes. Made with kalabasa and a few simple ingredients, it's a great alternative to traditional red sauce. T
he squash-based sauce is rich and creamy, and the addition of cashew nuts and nutritional yeast makes it even more flavorful. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Simply cook the pasta, prepare the sauce, and toss them together for a delicious and satisfying meal.
14. Ginataan Kalabasa with Sitaw
Ginataan Kalabasa with Sitaw is a rich and savory Filipino vegetable and seafood stew that's perfect for cold weather. This recipe uses squash, string beans, and shrimp, cooked in a delicious broth made from coconut milk, shrimp broth, and shrimp paste. The addition of coconut cream makes the sauce creamy and flavorful. Serve with hot rice to soak up all the flavors. This dish is also perfect for vegetarians as it can be made without shrimp.
15. Chicken Nilaga with Kalabasa Recipe
A dish from the Philippines that can warm you up on the chilliest of days. Chicken Nilaga with Kalabasa is a delicious soup made with skinless chicken thighs, butternut squash, bok choy, and cabbage.
The flavorful broth is made with chicken broth, onion, and whole peppercorns, and seasoned with fish sauce. It’s a simple dish that comes together quickly, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve with steamed rice, and you’ve got yourself a hearty and satisfying meal that's sure to warm you up on a cold day.
16. Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Crabs Recipe
Indulge in the flavors of the Philippines with this creamy and flavorful Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Crabs recipe. This savory dish is made by sauteing onions and garlic, then adding fish sauce and coconut cream. The crabs are then added to the mix and cooked until tender, then the kalabasa and string beans are incorporated. Simmer everything together until the vegetables are cooked to your liking, and then serve hot with rice.
You'll love the balance of creaminess and spice in this dish. If you're not a fan of crabs, you can easily substitute them with other seafood like shrimp or fish.
17. Instant Pot Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa
Instant Pot Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa is a quick and easy recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights. This creamy and flavorful dish is made with coconut oil, garlic, onion, ginger, bagoong, kalabasa, green beans, coconut milk, chicken broth, patis, ground black pepper, and baby spinach.
The Instant Pot does most of the work by cooking everything in just 7 minutes under high pressure. Once the cooking is done, add baby spinach and let it cook using the residual heat.
18. Munggo with Gata and Kalabasa
Munggo with Gata and Kalabasa is a comforting and nutritious dish made with mung beans, coconut milk, and squash. The mung beans are cooked with bay leaf, onions, and ginger until soft, then combined with sauteed onion, garlic, and dried shrimp. Coconut milk and squash are added to create a creamy and flavorful base, and malunggay leaves are thrown in for extra nutrition. Seasoned with fish sauce and served with rice, this dish is a hearty and healthy meal that is perfect for any time of the day.
19. Ginisang Upo at Kalabasa
Ginisang Upo at Kalabasa or Sauteed Opo and Butternut Squash is a classic Filipino vegetable dish that is perfect for a light and healthy meal. Tender and flavorful pork belly are seared and combined with savory onion, garlic, and tomato.
Cubed kalabasa and upo are added and sauteed until the vegetables are perfectly cooked. The dish is seasoned with fish sauce and ground black pepper, giving it a salty and peppery flavor. Serve this dish with fried fish and rice for a complete meal that's sure to satisfy. This dish is easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights when you want to eat something delicious and healthy.
20. Kabocha Salad
Try this Ginisang Upo at Kalabasa, a sautéed squash recipe that is easy to make and packed with flavor. Made with opo squash, butternut squash, and thinly sliced pork belly, this dish is perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.
Saute the pork with onion, garlic, and tomato until the pork becomes tender. Then, add the kalabasa and upo and saute until the vegetables are cooked through. Flavor with fish sauce and black pepper, and it's ready to be served. Best served with fried fish and rice. Don't have upo? No worries, substitute with more kalabasa!
21. Kalabasa Bread
Kalabasa Bread is a squash bread that's almost brioche-like in texture and color. Made with mashed kalabasa, bread flour, milk powder, yeast, and coconut sugar, it's perfect for a hearty snack or a light breakfast. The dough is mixed with melted butter and water until it becomes shaggy, then left to rise for an hour until doubled in size. Divided into six equal pieces, it's rolled out and placed in a greased loaf pan, then baked in the oven for 40 minutes.
For an extra burst of flavor, serve it with Salted Malunggay Butter, a blend of slightly softened salted butter, and crushed dried malunggay leaves.
22. Ginisang Okra at Kalabasa with Tuna flakes
This Ginisang Okra at Kalabasa with Tuna flakes recipe is a delightful dish that's easy to prepare and packed with nutrients. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines sautéed okra and kalabasa cubes with flavorful tuna flakes, sautéed onions, and garlic.
After sautéing the onions and garlic, the tuna flakes are added to the pan, followed by the kalabasa cubes and a cup of water. Simmer the mixture until the kalabasa is tender, then add the okra and season with patis and ground pepper to taste. Serve hot with a steaming bowl of rice for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Don't forget to try this recipe with your choice of vegetables if you don't have Okra on hand.
23. Ginisang Sitaw at Kalabasa
Ginisang Sitaw at Kalabasa is a nutritious vegetable dish that's perfect for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. This recipe combines the goodness of sautéed kalabasa and sitaw with tender pork and flavorful shrimp.
To start, sauté garlic and onions in a pan, then add pork and continue to cook until browned. Add soy sauce and let it simmer for a minute. Next, add the shrimp and water and let it boil before adding the squash and string beans. Simmer and stir until the vegetables are almost done, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
This Ginisang Sitaw at Kalabasa is best served hot with a smile! It's a delicious and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion, whether for a family dinner or a potluck with friends.
24. Kalabasa Flower (Squash Blossom) Salad
Kalabasa flowers are not only beautiful but also delicious and nutritious! This recipe for Kalabasa Flower Salad is a refreshing way to enjoy this unique vegetable.
This salad is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish for your main course. It's also easy to customize with your favorite herbs and spices or by adding your choice of protein. Try this refreshing and flavorful Kalabasa Flower Salad today! If Kalabasa flowers are not available, you can use the leaves and other edible parts of the Kalabasa squash in this recipe.
25. Ginataang Sitaw and Kalabasa Quiche
Take your love for Ginataang Sitaw and Kalabasa to a whole new level with this Ginataang Sitaw and Kalabasa Quiche! A fusion of traditional Filipino flavors and French-inspired pastry, this dish is perfect for any occasion, from a hearty brunch to a cozy dinner.
The savory coconut custard is laced with ginger, garlic, and fish sauce, which gives the dish a distinct Filipino flavor. Impress your guests with this unique and delicious Ginataang Sitaw and Kalabasa Quiche!
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