I know the Lenten season is over and a lot of you have been eating vegetables during this period, some may be tired of it but me? No, I love vegetables specially the Filipino ones that is why I am compiling this Top 43 Filipino Vegetable Recipes as they are very tasty and hearty sometimes you don’t feel the urge of having some protein with it. Having said that the recipes posted here does not necessarily mean pure vegetables as Filipinos love using fatty pork during the sautéing process to give the dish more flavour.
The choice of vegetables in the Philippines are endless, tropical countries will have very unique produce in addition to the common ones. These vegetables are indicated on a song most kids know called “Bahay Kubo“, where it showcases all of our local produce. The songs goes like this
“Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong, Sigarilyas at mani,
Sitaw, bataw, patani,Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa
At saka meron pang Labanos, mustasa,
Sibuyas, kamatis, Bawang at luya
Sa paligid ligid Ay puno linga.”
In English
“Nipa hut, even though it’s small,
The plants that grow around it are varied:
Turnip & eggplant, winged bean & peanut,
Snake beans, hyacinth bean, lima bean.Wax gourd, sponge gourd, bottle gourd & kabocha squash,
And there’s also radish, mustard,
Onion, tomato, garlic & ginger
And all around are sesame seeds“
While most of the vegetables was mentioned in the song, that is not a complete list of everything, in fact there are more that is quite common in the Philippine cuisine like cabbage, carrots, water spinach, mung beans and taro to name some. And these are the vegetables we are showcasing today. Regional varieties do exist of some dishes where ingredients are replaced with what is more common on that region, so I will try to consolidate them into one list item if they are nearly the same. So without further ado here you go, the Top 43 Filipino Vegetable Recipes.
Defined as:
noun: mish-mash
a confused mixture.
synonyms: jumble, mess, confusion, hotchpotch, hodgepodge, ragbag, pastiche, patchwork, farrago, hash, assortment, medley, miscellany, mixture, melange, blend, variety, mixed bag, mix, diversity, collection, selection, assemblage, combination, motley collection, pot-pourri, conglomeration;
This category basically is an assortment of diverse vegetables cooked together to create a wonderful concoction. It can be a selection of at least two vegetables and as much as your heart’s desire.
Pinakbet – Perhaps the most popular and most Filipino of this whole list, the Top 43 Filipino Vegetable Recipes would not be complete without this. Basically a combination of different tropical vegetables cooked with a bit of pork or shrimps, mostly dry but some with a bit of sauce.
Laswa / Bulanglang / Law Uy / Utan / Linapwahan / Dinengdeng / Inabraw / Buridibud – Similar to the one above but this time it’s soupy. Most regions have their own version depending on the local produce of the province
Paksing Demonyu – It looks like pinakbet but it does not taste like it, perhaps for vegetable newbies this is the hardest one to swallow (literally), its sour, it’s hot and its very bitter, it does not sound palatable at all. You will need an acquired taste for this one
Menudong Nagcarlan – This Filipino Vegetable Recipe might not be popular and the name might confuse a lot. It is not anywhere near the menudo you know of, first it’s not red, it uses chayote and protein used is beef tripe.
Chopseuy / Creamy Chopseuy / Beef Chopseuy – This is the Filipino’s take on the Chinese stir fried vegetables
Dinoydoy – Literally a mish mash of bitter gourd and squash. It’s a roller coaster of flavour and texture, its mushy and crunchy, then its sweet, savoury and bitter.
Sipo Egg – Cubed vegetables with prawns and quail eggs.
Lumpiang Sariwa – Mix of raw or blanched vegetables, wrapped in crepe and served with peanut sauce.
Lumpiang Hubad – Similar to the above but served without the wrap
This section is for the simply sautéed and stir-fried single vegetable. Dishes here will start with a sauté of garlic and onion, sometimes ginger and tomato plus some fatty pork. Dishes here are quick and easy to prepare where it’s perfectly paired with grilled or fried fish.
Ginisang Sayote – I grew up with this so this takes the top spot, a vegetable close to my heart. #chayote
Ginisang Upo – This Filipino Vegetable Recipe is almost similar procedure and taste to the one above but this time it’s using bottle gourd
Ginisang Abistuelas – This one is good, just a bit of soy sauce, green beans and fatty pork is enough
Ginisang Repolyo – Sautéed Cabbage is one of the most important here, at least for me as we always have leftover half cabbage that we don’t know what to do.
Ginisang Talong – With a bit of bagoong this talong with shine
Ginisang Ampalaya – Trust me this dish is not bitter at all, it’s all about the technique
Ginisang Pechay – One of my favourite here, with a bit of sauce it will really go well with chargrilled fish.
Ginisang Togue – Now this one is not just one vegetable, its three buts it works like a trinity where it works well as one. Main vegetable is bean sprout where it is assisted by carrots and green beans.
Ginisang Bunga ng Malunggay – This was the hardest one to recreate from where I am as malunggay does not grow here but luckily, I found this Indian shop that sell them.
Ginisang Okra – Slimy with the help of some dilis it becomes pungent delicious!
Another section for single vegetables but this time cooked not just by gisa but with a much intricate and flavourful preparation. Like most vegetable dishes here most of the items on this list will contain some sort of protein.
Adobo (Sitaw, Kangkong, Puso ng Saging) – Adobo is not just for pork or chicken, it does work well on vegetable as well.
Gising Gising – if translated this is called “Wake Wake” and surely this dish will wake you up. Find out why.
Bas Uy – It’s like your ginisang sayote but this time with steroids, in soup with large pork and liver chunks and lemongrass
Laing – The most popular Bicolano vegetable dish, my mom’s specialty as well. You can do it the normal way or special. This is one of the best Filipino Vegetable Recipes out there.
Poqui Poqui – Funny name, great dish. Not what you think of but it’s made out of moist, warm, soft and mushy roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and eggs
Kilawing Puso ng Saging – Yes bananas have hearts and this one turned sour thanks to the cane vinegar.
Champinones al Ajillo – It came from the Spanish and we fully embraced this mushroom dish
Apan Apan – It is like adobong kangkong but topped with crispy fried pork.
Nilagang Okra at Inihaw na Talong – A simple combination of two simple dishes of boiled okra and grilled eggplant
Dont believe me on that, coconut is not a nut, I just got this from a Smokey Mountain song popular during my time 🙂
Philippines is a tropical country and that means we have lots of coconuts which we widely use on our cuisine. This section features coconut uses as a sauce, soup or flavouring.
Lawot Lawot – The creamy version of dinengdeng
Porbidang Kangkong – If the West has creamy spinach where have this but don’t be fooled by its looks this one is hot, I think that’s why this Filipino Vegetable Recipe got its name “Forbidden Kangkong”
Kulawong Talong – This dish is literally burnt to perfection
Ginataang (Kangkong, Sitaw, Kalabasa, Labong, Talong, Langka, Puso ng Saging) – If there is a ginisa version of the vegetables then there is also ginataan, where it is first sautéed then cooked in coconut cream.
Linubihang Munggo – If mung bean soup is not creamy enough for you then beef it up with coconut milk.
Most of the dishes we already listed are all saucy or soupy so what about the fried stuff? Well yes you can fry vegetables and like any fried stuff, it is good!
Lumpiang (Gulay, Togue) – The vegetable version of spring rolls and if you don’t like vegetables just soak it up with tons of spicy vinegar.
Rellenong (Talong, Ampalaya) – Stuffed is not just for chicken you can also stuff eggplants and bitter gourd.
Tortang (Talong, Patatas) – Basically these are vegetable dishes coated with egg, it’s good for breakfast.
Pritong Talong – For me this is one of the best smelling food while is being pan fried, do you agree?
Now if found the earlier list too dry then why not have it with soup, while most of this is good in winter, they are good on hot and humid days as well, remember this is made in the Philippines.
Suam na Mais – Chicken and corn soup the Filipino style
Misua (Sardines with Misua and Patola, Sardines and Upo Misua) – The food for the masses, just add sardines and misua to the vegetable of your choice.
Hototay – This Filipino Chinese egg drop is made with mixed meats and vegetables, a true all-in-one meal
Vegetarian Delight – The Filipinos take of Buddhas’ delight, equally as delicious
Munggo – The humble mung bean served with tinapa, chicharon, crispy pork or any way you like it.
Sinabawang Talbos ng Kamote – The ultimate budget meal, all you need is water, some talbos, garlic and onion. And yes, we had this a lot when I was young, best of all of the ingredients come from our garden so it’s free.
Hope you enjoyed this Top 43 Filipino Vegetable Recipe list, if I missed some then let us know by commenting below.
