Pinakbet

True pinakbet from Ilocos region with shrimp

Pinakbet vegetables; shown are bitter melon, calabaza squash, lady's finger, eggplants, string beans, and chili

Authentic Bulakan Pinakbet Pinakbet (La Familia of Baliuag)

Pinakbet (also called pakbet or pinak bet) is an indigenous Filipino dish from the northern regions of the Philippines. Pinakbet is made from mixed vegetables steamed in fish or shrimp sauce.^[1] The word is the contracted form of the Ilokano word pinakebbet, meaning "shrunk" or "shriveled".^[2] The original Ilocano pinakbet uses bagoong, of fermented monamon or other fish, for seasoning sauce, while further south, bagoong alamang is used. The dish usually includes bitter melon (ampalaya).^[3] Other vegetables used include eggplant, tomato, okra, string beans, chili peppers, parda, winged beans, and others. Root crops and some beans like camote, patani, kadios are also optionally added. The young pod of marunggay is also added. It is usually spiced with ginger, onions, or garlic. A Tagalog version usually includes calabaza (kalabasa). Most of these vegetables are easily accessible and are grown in backyards and gardens of most Ilocano households. As its name suggests, it is usually cooked until almost dry and shriveled; in Tagalog version, the flavors of the vegetables are accentuated with shrimp paste. In some cases, lechon, chicharon, or other meats (most commonly pork) are added.

See also

• Dinengdeng – a term usually used by Ilocanos pertaining to any vegetable dish. Though different, dinengdeng is often used interchangeably with pinakbet. Yet, these two are different in terms of procedure in cooking and even in terms of ingredients.

References

1. David Yen Ho Wu; Sidney C. H. Cheung (2002). Wu: Globalization of Chinese Food. University of Hawaii Press. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-8248-2582-9. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
2. "Pakbet / Pinakbet". San Pablo City. 2010. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
3. "Assessment of Dietary Intakes of Filipino-Americans: Implications for Food Frequency Questionnaire Design". Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2011. Retrieved 2013-03-24.

External links

• Filipino Pork Pinakbet Recipe - Filipino Pork Pinakbet cooking instructions.
• Recipe for Filipino Pinakbet
• Various authentic, exotic, Ilokano pinakbets - an essay about different pinakbet preparation and cooking.
• Pinakbet Republic - foodblog that "demystifies Ilokano food" and features "rave and rants on food and cuisine of the Ilokanos"