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shrimp with beans and coconut milk

Ginataang Sugpo with Kalabasa

Ginataang Sugpo with Kalabasa is a Filipino dish made with tiger prawns and squash simmered in coconut milk, seasoned with garlic, onion, and ginger, and spiced with chili peppers. It’s rich, creamy, and best enjoyed with rice.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g prawn shrimp or Sugpo peeled and deveined
  • 2 cups kalabasa (squash) peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup sitaw (string beans) cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 can (400ml) coconut milk (gata)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 thumb-sized ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil

Instructions
 

  • Heat cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat.
  • Sauté the garlic, onion, and ginger until fragrant.
  • Add the cubed kalabasa and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Pour in the coconut milk, fish sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the kalabasa becomes tender.
  • Add the sitaw and shrimp to the pan. Stir to combine and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the shrimp turns pink and the sitaw is tender.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes

Dos and Don’ts:
Do:
  • Use fresh kalabasa for a better texture and flavor.
  • Let the coconut milk simmer gently to avoid curdling.
  • Stir the dish occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom
Don’t:
  • Overcook the shrimp as it will become rubbery.
  • Skip the fish sauce – it adds the authentic flavor.
  • Let the coconut milk boil too quickly to avoid separation.