Skip to main content

Instant Pot Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa

Stew of string beans and squash in coconut milk.
Photo by Nancy Cho

Summers in the San Francisco Bay Area provide enough sunshine to adequately grow winter squashes like kalabasa (also known as Japanese kabocha). I should know; my parents have done it for nearly 40 years. Each fall we harvest the squash and give it as offerings of connection to our loved ones. In this hearty Instant Pot dish, the pressure cooker practically pulverizes the kalabasa, creating a creamy broth akin to butternut squash soup. Include large pieces of squash if you want to sink your teeth into them. Also, if kalabasa leaves are available in your area, they add a nice touch to this stew.

All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

Serves 4

2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. of garlic, minced
1⁄2 cup chopped onion
1 (1-inch piece) ginger, sliced
2 Tbsp. bagoong
3 cups kalabasa or kabocha squash, chopped into 1 to 2-inch cubes
1⁄2 lb green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 (13.5 oz) can of coconut milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. patis
1⁄2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup baby spinach

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the Instant Pot on Sauté setting. When the inner pot is hot, pour in the coconut oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic, onion, and ginger and sweat until aromatic and soft. Turn off Instant Pot.

    Step 2

    Add the bagoong and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes using residual heat. Add kalabasa, green beans, coconut milk, chicken broth, patis, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

    Step 3

    Turn and lock the lid into place, making sure the steam-release valve is in the sealed position. Select Manual and program for 7 minutes on High Pressure. When cooking is complete, quick release pressure manually.

    Step 4

    Unlock and carefully remove the lid. Add baby spinach and gently stir. Cook to desired texture using residual heat.

Cook's note:

Shrimp may be added for protein. We recommend sautéing ½ pound of defrosted, peeled shrimp with the aromatics in Step 1, then removing the shrimp and setting them aside. Add shrimp back into the dish after the vegetables are cooked.

Image may contain: Food, Plant, and Burger
Images and text from The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook by Tisha Gonda Domingo, Jeannie E. Celestial, et al., copyright 2019. Published by Rocketships & Wonderment. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Sign In or Subscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate Instant Pot Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa?

Leave a Review

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Go all-out autumnal with this easy soup recipe that combines roasted butternut squash with fresh ginger and cinnamon.
This homey one-pot stew boasts a short ingredient list but tons of complex flavors, built over three hours in a mostly hands-off braise.
Spoon this roasted, spiced squash on a swoosh of yogurt and you’ve got dinner.
Nothing says “classy side dish” like anchovies draped over wedges of roasted squash and drizzled with a bright, herbaceous topping.
Kabocha squash, which has a wonderfully creamy texture and tastes like a cross between a pumpkin and sweet potato, makes a great topping for toast.
These Sichuan-style dry-fried green beans get their punchy flavor thanks to the chile and garlic.
Thin slices of summer squash are rolled up with cool, creamy ricotta and herbs for an Italian-inspired bite that guests can pop into their mouths.
Frozen fire-roasted corn is a shortcut to smoky flavor and depth in a quick soup inspired by the flavors of the popular Mexican street snack.