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Epicurious

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.

What you’ll need

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.

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