Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork
Easy Filipino Squash Recipe
Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork is a simple and comforting Filipino dish made with tender squash, savory pork, string beans, garlic, onion, and oyster sauce. It is an affordable everyday meal that combines meat and vegetables in one flavorful dish.
The kalabasa becomes soft and naturally sweet as it cooks, while the pork adds richness to the dish. String beans provide a pleasant texture and make the meal even more satisfying. With only a handful of common ingredients, this recipe is easy enough for beginners and practical enough for busy family meals.
Like many Filipino dishes that start with sautéing garlic and onion, this recipe builds its flavor from a simple gisa. The pork is cooked until tender before the vegetables are added, allowing the squash and string beans to absorb the savory broth.
Whether you serve it with steamed rice for lunch or dinner, Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork is a delicious way to put an affordable vegetable-based meal on the family table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to prepare: The cooking process uses simple steps that are beginner-friendly.
- Budget-friendly: Pork, kalabasa, and sitaw are affordable ingredients that can feed the whole family.
- Complete everyday meal: You get meat and vegetables in one comforting dish.
- Naturally flavorful: Garlic, onion, pork, and oyster sauce create a savory broth without requiring complicated seasonings.
- Perfect with rice: The flavorful sauce pairs especially well with freshly cooked steamed rice.
- Easy to adjust: You can make the dish more soupy or reduce the liquid depending on your preference.
Ingredients
- 250 g pork, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 500 g squash (kalabasa), peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 100 g string beans (sitaw), cut into approximately 2-inch pieces
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2–3 cups water, depending on your preferred amount of broth
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
How to Cook Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork
1. Prepare the vegetables
Peel the kalabasa and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Wash the string beans and cut them into about 2-inch lengths.
2. Sauté the aromatics
Heat the cooking oil in a pan over low to medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent.
3. Cook the pork
Add the sliced pork to the pan and season lightly with salt. Stir and sauté until the outside of the pork changes color.
Pour in 2 to 3 cups of water and cover the pan. Allow the pork to simmer over medium heat until tender. The cooking time can vary depending on the cut and size of the pork pieces, so continue simmering until the meat is easy to bite.
If the liquid becomes too low before the pork is tender, add a little more water.
4. Add the kalabasa and sitaw
Once the pork is tender, add the kalabasa and gently mix it into the pork and broth. Add the string beans and stir carefully.
Pour in additional water if you prefer more broth in your Ginisang Kalabasa.
5. Season and finish cooking
Add the oyster sauce and season with ground black pepper. Taste the broth and add more salt if necessary.
Cover the pan and allow the vegetables to cook until the kalabasa is tender and the string beans are cooked but still have a little bite. Avoid overcooking the squash because it can become too soft and break apart.
Give everything a gentle stir, then transfer the finished dish to a serving bowl.
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Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork is best served hot with freshly cooked steamed white rice. Spoon some of the savory broth over the rice for an extra flavorful bite.
You can serve it as a main dish for lunch or dinner, especially when you want an inexpensive meal that includes both pork and vegetables. It can also be served alongside other Filipino dishes as part of a larger family meal.
Serving count: Approximately 4 servings.
For a larger family, simply increase the pork and vegetables while adjusting the seasoning and water accordingly.
What to Do With Leftover Ginisang Kalabasa
If you have leftovers, allow the dish to cool before transferring it to a clean, covered container. Store it in the refrigerator and enjoy it within the next few days.
Because the kalabasa continues to soften after cooking, leftovers may have a softer texture than when freshly prepared. The flavors, however, can become even more blended after resting.
How to Reheat the Dish
For stovetop reheating, place the leftovers in a pan and heat over low to medium heat. Add a small amount of water if the broth has reduced too much. Stir gently from time to time and heat until the dish is steaming hot throughout.
If using a microwave, place an appropriate portion in a microwave-safe container and cover loosely. Heat in short intervals, stirring between intervals, until thoroughly heated.
Try to avoid repeatedly reheating the entire batch. Reheat only the amount you plan to eat to help maintain the best quality.
Helpful Tips for Making Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork
Choose a kalabasa that is firm and fresh so the pieces hold their shape during cooking. Cut the squash into similar-sized pieces to help them cook more evenly.
For better-tasting pork, allow it enough time to simmer until tender before adding the vegetables. This also gives the broth time to develop a deeper savory flavor.
Be careful when adding salt because oyster sauce already contains saltiness. It is better to taste the dish first and adjust the seasoning gradually.
If you prefer a brothier version, add more water. For a thicker and more concentrated dish, use less water and allow some of the liquid to reduce while cooking.
Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork
Ingredients
Method
- Peel the kalabasa and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Wash the string beans and cut them into about 2-inch lengths.
- Heat the cooking oil in a pan over low to medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the sliced pork to the pan and season lightly with salt. Stir and sauté until the outside of the pork changes color.
- Pour in 2 to 3 cups of water and cover the pan. Allow the pork to simmer over medium heat until tender. The cooking time can vary depending on the cut and size of the pork pieces, so continue simmering until the meat is easy to bite.
- If the liquid becomes too low before the pork is tender, add a little more water.
- Once the pork is tender, add the kalabasa and gently mix it into the pork and broth. Add the string beans and stir carefully.
- Pour in additional water if you prefer more broth in your Ginisang Kalabasa.
- Add the oyster sauce and season with ground black pepper. Taste the broth and add more salt if necessary.
- Cover the pan and allow the vegetables to cook until the kalabasa is tender and the string beans are cooked but still have a little bite. Avoid overcooking the squash because it can become too soft and break apart.
- Give everything a gentle stir, then transfer the finished dish to a serving bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork, its ingredients, cooking methods, and serving suggestions.
Can I use other pork cuts?
Yes. Pork belly, pork shoulder, or other suitable cuts can be used. Choose a cut with enough meat and some fat for a flavorful result.
Can I make this recipe without pork?
Yes. You can leave out the pork for a vegetable-only version. You can also substitute another protein according to your preference.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Ginisang Kalabasa is flexible and can be prepared with other vegetables. Just consider the different cooking times and add harder vegetables earlier.
Why is my kalabasa too soft?
Kalabasa can become very soft when cooked for too long. Add it after the pork has become tender and cook only until the squash reaches your preferred texture.
How much water should I add?
Use 2 to 3 cups as a starting point. Add more water if you want a soupier dish, or use less if you prefer a thicker and more concentrated sauce.
What is the best way to serve Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork?
It is traditionally enjoyed as an everyday Filipino meal with steamed rice. The savory broth and tender vegetables make it especially good when spooned over rice.
Final Thoughts
Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork is proof that a delicious Filipino family meal does not need an expensive or complicated ingredient list. Tender pork, sweet kalabasa, crisp-tender sitaw, and a savory oyster sauce broth come together to create a comforting dish that is easy to prepare at home.
If you’re looking for a simple Filipino squash recipe for an everyday lunch or dinner, this Ginisang Kalabasa with Pork is definitely worth trying. Serve it hot with rice and enjoy a satisfying homemade Filipino meal with your family.
