Coconut Milk: Filipino Shrimp, Green Beans & Squash – Ginataang Sitaw Kalabasa

Coconut milk is all that and then some. It is the perfect creamy addition for both sweet and savory dishes.

In our house, we use coconut milk more often with spicy curries and soups and only occasionally in drinks like coquito and sweets like Vietnamese rice pudding (che dau trang).

Growing up, coconut was rarely eaten in our house – except for the shredded version my mom used in desserts or those extremely rare occasions when my dad busted open a hairy, brown coconut. First, he carefully drained the precious coconut water by piercing the coconut eyes (pores) with a hammer and long nail. As youngsters, my little sister and I always lined up for a sip. Then he covered the coconut with a towel and whacked it with the hammer.  And, finally we got to pry at that precious white flesh.

Fresh coconut is still hard to come by, and a bit hit or miss when I find one at the market here in Denver. Thankfully, canned coconut milk is more readily available.

In this Filipino recipe for Ginataang Sitaw Kalabasa, squash and green beans are simmered in coconut milk to create a luscious meal. “Ginataang” (also spelled “ginataan” or “guinataan”) is a Filipino term referring to food cooked with “gata,” the Tagalog word for coconut milk.

My girlfriend Cher turned me onto this dish last fall when her garden was bursting with buttercup squash and the cool weather of the new season was setting in. It’s one of her favorite Filipino dishes that her mamma makes. It’s so good that my husband and I gobbled up three servings each and took home the leftovers. I can be gluttunous – especially where coconut milk is involved.

If you can find buttercup squash use it – please.  As the name suggests, it’s buttery and also a little sweet. Its flavor is not duplicated with other squash varieties. If you can’t find buttercup, substitute with acorn or your favorite squash – your dish will still be delicious. Also note that most traditional recipes for ginataang sitaw kalabasa use long beans, but tender green beans are a good substitute.

This is comfort food, Filipino style.

Tidbits on coconut milk:

  1. The coconut tree, cocos nucifer, is considered one of the most useful trees in the world. The long list of uses includes:  food and drink, serving vessels, cooking fuel, textile fibers, thatching/basket materials, timber, medicines and many other useful products.
  2. Coconut milk is a thick sweet liquid that is made by pressing water through grated coconut flesh. Do not confuse coconut milk with the naturally occurring opaque liquid derived from the coconut.
  3. Canned coconut milk has a fat content ranging from 10 to 25 percent. The higher the percentage means it has more coconut cream and less water, and is also more thick. Pay attention to whether your recipes call for milk or cream.
  4. When purchasing coconut milk, opt for those canned versions that do not contain gums or thickeners. Quality canned coconut milk will separate, with the cream rising to the top. Just shake the can before using. Coconut milk is also available in fresh form in the refrigerated section of markets.
  5. Refrigerate unused canned coconut milk and use within a few days.

ginataan sitaw

Filipino Shrimp, Green Beans & Squash in Coconut Milk – Ginataang Sitaw Kalabasa

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoon oil (canola or vegetable)

1 small onion, diced small

3-inch ginger stem, peeled and minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk

2 tablespoons fish sauce or 1 tablespoon bagoong/shrimp paste

½ to 1 teaspoon chile paste

½ to 1 cup stock (chicken or vegetable) or water

1 squash buttercup or acorn, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (about 3 cups)

½ pound long beans or green beans, cut into 3-inch segments

Method

  1. Prepare vegetables in advance.
  2. Heat a large, deep-sided skillet or wok, over medium-high heat. Add oil; when hot, saute the onion and ginger for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the shrimp; cook for 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp and  set aside (leave as much of the onion, ginger, and garlic mixture in the pan).
  3. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce (or bagoong), ½ teaspoon chile paste, and 1/2 cup stock (or water). Simmer for 30 minutes. Add the squash and the long beans. (Note: For a thinner sauce add remaining cup of stock. When I used acorn squash I needed the extra liquid.) Stir well, and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until squash is tender, but in tact. Adjust seasonings. Add the shrimp back to the pan and reheat.
  4. Serve hot with rice.
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16 Responses to Coconut Milk: Filipino Shrimp, Green Beans & Squash – Ginataang Sitaw Kalabasa

  1. I love soups and stews made with coconut milk. I’m a sucker for anything that has shrimp in it, plus the fish sauce and ginger for marvelous flavor. This looks so yummy.

  2. Lea Ann says:

    I’m a huge coconut milk fan and don’t know how I lived for all those years with the lime/cilantro/curry/coconut milk dishes. This looks delicious Andrea. See you Saturday.

  3. Mary says:

    I LOVE squash or pumpkin in coconut milk recipes. Looks like we even use the same brand. :) This looks yum!

  4. Susan says:

    This sound DIVINE!

  5. Wow, you are always introducing me to new things. Never heard of this dish. Beautiful photo!

  6. What a lovely recipe…delicious :)

  7. Lot-O-Choc says:

    Oh wow this looks so tasty, I never used to be a huge fan of shrimp but I am in love with it now, I would love to try this!

  8. As you would imagine coconut is also a very popular ingredient in the Caribbean. It goes so well in so many dishes

  9. Lot-O-Choc says:

    Thanks for visiting my blog and for the advice on the about page! I never realised that you could have extra pages!! So pleased you mentioned it, I’ve created one and its up on my blog now :). Look forward to reading more of your posts.

  10. Lana says:

    Your photos are so vibrant and light! I have several of your recipes bookmarked, but this one is going to be served first: I just happen to have most of the ingredients at hand (I don’t know if I can find buttercup squash, but I’ll substitute, as I don’t know better:)
    Thanks for the info on coconuts. It’s good to learn something new.

  11. Looks divine. And your images make my mouth water and make me want to eat. Now!

  12. […] followed this recipe sort of.. I only used half a can of coconut milk, and since I can’t really find squash here […]

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  14. […] Ginataang Sitaw Kalabasa   Shrimp, green beans and squash in coconut milk–calls for acorn or butternut but you can use long squash!! […]

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