Our popular song “Bahay Kubo” contains a list of fruits and vegetables that are commonly seen in Filipino gardens and backyards. The ingredients listed in the song include radishes, squash, string beans, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and ginger! It demonstrates how much Filipinos adore their vegetables — and how inventive we can be…
Our popular song “Bahay Kubo” contains a list of fruits and vegetables that are commonly seen in Filipino gardens and backyards. The ingredients listed in the song include radishes, squash, string beans, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and ginger! It demonstrates how much Filipinos love their vegetables — and how inventive we can be with them. Upo, often known as bottle gourd in English, is one of the crops mentioned in Bahay Kubo. This massive green vegetable is a culinary favorite due to its ease of preparation, adaptability, and mild yet somewhat sweet flavor. But have you found the appropriate upo recipe for you yet? Look no further; we’ve compiled a list of four of the most popular upo dishes that you and your family will undoubtedly enjoy!
What’s the deal? What are the health benefits of it?
Before you begin your favorite upo dish, it’s a good idea to first grasp what upo is. Upo is known by several names, including bottle gourd, long melon, and opo squash. However, the “proper” name for this vegetable is calabash! Calabash has been around for a long time, and it is green, spherical, and can stretch up to a meter long. In reality, the oldest evidence of it comes from China and Japan around 8000 – 9000 B.P.!
For millennia, people have used and consumed upo. Of course, one of the reasons is the numerous health benefits associated with this substance! Upo, for example, aids digestion since it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. It aids in weight loss because to its low calorie level, and its high potassium concentration makes it ideal for a healthy heart. With high zinc levels, your heart is further protected from injury and coronary artery disease is avoided!
Which upo recipes should I try first?
You can definitely discover a upo recipe that fit your tastes depending on how you’re feeling that day. If you want something quick and uncomplicated, try the first recipe, ginisang upo na may sardinas. Meanwhile, during the rainy season, misua with upo and ground pork or chicken tinola may be the way to go for people who want their dishes soupy. Finally, ginataang upo is ideal for individuals who want something pleasant and creamy! There’s a upo dish for every mood – and no matter what mood you’re in, each recipe is as simple to prepare!
May Sardinas Ginisang Upo
This is a tasty, vibrant upo recipe that will definitely give your upo justice! When the onion softens, add the slices of upo or bottle gourd to the pan with the garlic and onions. Allow this to cook for 3 minutes before adding Knorr Liquid Seasoning for an extra wonderful flavor. Next, add a cup of water to a pan with the sardines and tomato sauce. Cook on low for 1 to 5 minutes, covered. Squeeze lemon juice over your plate to remove some of the fishy flavor. It’s ready to serve after a final seasoning with salt and ground black pepper.
Misua with Ground Pork and Upo
Looking for the comfort of noodle soup but with a slightly healthier twist? This upo recipe has you covered! As with other recipes, we begin by creating your misua soup. In a cooking pot, sauté onion and garlic before adding half a pound of ground pork. Continue cooking until it reaches a good brown color and is separated into bits. Then stir in 1 Knorr Pork Cube and 4 cups water.
After bringing this to a boil, cover your cooking pot and let aside for 5 minutes before adding 3 cups of upo and an ounce of misua or vermicelli noodles. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes with the lid on. Season with fish sauce and freshly ground black pepper to taste. With a last touch of toasted garlic, your misua with upo and ground pork is complete! Serve hot and enjoy on a quiet, relaxing day.
Upo Ginataang Upo
As we all know, Filipinos adore ginataan recipes, and upo is no exception! This upo dish is perfect for individuals who enjoy this thick and sweet coconut milk.
To make this, sauté onions and garlic in a skillet before adding 3 cups of upo pieces. After two minutes, add the dried anchovies. Vinegar follows, providing a sharp and clear cut through the rich tastes. Meanwhile, in a separate glass, combine 1 12 cup water and Knorr Ginataang Gulay Mix before stirring. Pour this mixture into a pan, bring to a boil, and cook for about 3 minutes. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes more after adding your chili peppers for an added touch of spiciness. Season this upo dish with fish sauce and ground black pepper, just like your misua. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with 3 cups of white rice!
Tinola with chicken
The delectable chicken tinola is the last (but certainly not least) upo recipe on our list. This is a true Filipino classic; tinolang manok has been a staple in many Filipino kitchens for as long as we can remember. We usually cook this meal with hearty, sweet papaya. However, upo is just as adaptable, useful, and tasty in this cuisine!
Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger in a big pot. Add your 5 ounces of chicken, cut into serving pieces, once the former has softened. You want the chicken to be light brown, so keep sautéing until it reaches that color. Pour 5 cups of water into the pot and bring it to a boil. Add a Knorr Chicken Cube and reduce the heat to low, allowing the dish to cook for another 15 minutes – make sure the cover is on! After that, add your bottle gourd and cook for 3 minutes more. Toss in 12 cups spinach, season with fish sauce and ground black pepper, and you’re done! Serve your tinolang manok hot, then share and enjoy it with your family and friends!
Each upo recipe presented here is simple, affordable, and delicious — a joy to make and eat! Which of these upo recipes is your favorite? How do you prepare your upo? Please let us know in the comments!
Did you make it yourself? If you take a photo, please tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or use the hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your work!
Upo Recipes (bottle gourd)
Ingredients
Ginisang Upo Na May Sardinas:
- 3 cups bottle gourd sliced
- 11 ounces sardines in can with tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Knorr Liquid Seasoning
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Misua With Upo And Ground Pork:
- 3 cups bottle gourd sliced
- ½ lb. ground pork
- 1 Knorr Pork Cube
- 1 ounce Chinese vermicelli misua
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons toasted garlic
- 4 cups water
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- Fish sauce and ground black pepper to taste
Ginataang Upo:
- 3 cups bottle gourd sliced
- 45 grams Knorr Ginataang Gulay Mix
- ¼ cup dried anchovies
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 thumbs ginger crushed
- 3 Thai chili pepper
- 1 ½ cups water
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- Fish sauce and ground black pepper to taste
Chicken Tinola:
- 5 ounces chicken cut into serving pieces
- 3 cups bottle gourd sliced
- 1 Knorr Chicken Cube
- 1 ½ cups spinach
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 3 thumbs ginger crushed
- 5 cups water
- Fish sauce and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Make the ginisang upo with sardinas by sauteeing garlic and onion in a pan. Add the bottle gourd once the onion softens. Continue cooking for 3 minutes. Add Knorr Liquid Seasoning. Pour the sardines with tomato sauce into the pan and add ½ cup water. Cover and cook for 1 to 3 to 5 minutes. Squeeze lemon and then season with salt and ground black pepper. Serve.
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Make the misua soup by sauteeing onion and garlic in a cooking pot. Add the ground pork. Continue cooking while separating it into pieces until it browns. Add Knorr Pork Cube and water. Let boil. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Put the bottle gourd and misua. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add green onions and season with fish sauce and ground black pepper. Add toasted garlic. Serve hot.
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Make the ginataang upo by sauteeing onion and garlic in a pan. Add the bottle gourd. Saute for 2 minutes and then add the dried anchovies. Pour the vinegar. Combine 1 ½ cups water and Knorr Ginataang Gulay Mix. Stir and pour into the pan. Let it boil and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Add chili pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Season with fish sauce and ground black pepper. Trransfer to a serving bowl. Serve with rice.
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Make the chicken tinola soup by sauteeing onion, garlic, and ginger in a cooking pot. Add the chicken once the onion softens. Saute until the chicken turns light brown and then pour 5 cups water. Let it boil. Add Knorr Chicken Cube. Reduce heat to low setting. Cover the pot and continue cooking for 15 minutes. Add bottle gourd and boil for 3 minutes. Put the spinach into the pot. Season with fish sauce and ground black pepper. Serve hot.
Video
Nutrition Information
FAQ
Can I eat Upo raw?
Yes, Upo can be eaten raw. It has a mild and slightly sweet taste when raw, making it a great addition to salads or as a crunchy snack. However, many traditional recipes involve cooking Upo to enhance its flavor and texture.
Are there any health benefits associated with consuming Upo?
Yes, Upo is a healthy vegetable with several health benefits. It is low in calories and rich in fiber, making it beneficial for digestion and weight management. Additionally, Upo contains essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and magnesium, which support overall health and well-being.