1 large eggplant cut diagonal into 1 to 2 inches thick
1 cup bitter melon ampalaya, cut into 1 inch thick
8 pieces of okra cut into 1 inch halve diagonal
½ bunch of green long beans cut into 3 inches length
1 cup squash cut diagonal into 1 to 2 inches longth
1 small chopped onion
3 cloves chopped garlic
1.5 inches thumb-size ginger chopped into 3 pieces
1 cup of water
4 tablespoon of bagoong monamon dilis fermented anchovies
2 tablespoon of vegetable oil For saute
For Frying the fish
1 Fish Tanigue Spanish Mackerel Steak
Vegetable oil for frying the fish
In a large pot, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in medium-low heat
Once hot, add garlic and ginger. Stir for 1 minute before adding chopped onion. Continue stirring till the onions turns translucent
Add okra and bitter melon. Stir to combine to reduce the sliminess of the okra, and to help soften & reduce the bitterness of the ampalaya (bitter melon) for a few minutes.
Add the rest of the vegetables (eggplant, green long beans, and squash). Mix to combine for a few minutes before pouring water. Increase to high heat to let it boil.
Once it started to boil, reduce to low heat to simmer. for 5 to 10 minutes. Add the bagoong monamon dilis (fermented anchovies). Give a quick stir.
Once there is less water and the vegetable is soft enough (not overcook). Turn off the fire and set aside.
To fry the fish
Pour vegetable oil into the pan. Wait till the oil is hot.
Add the Spanish Mackerel fish steak into the pan. Let it fry for a few minutes till it turns brown.
Flip to the opposite side. Repeat the process.
Remove the fish and transfer into the plate with a paper towel under it to help absorb the excess oil
Once it cools down, debones and cut the fried fish into small pieces, approximately 1 to 2 inches thick.
Topped it above the vegetable pinkabet. You can stir to mix or leave it that way.
Serve it on a plate. Best to serve and eat with
If you don’t have Spanish mackerel (tanigue) fish steak, you can use and fry bangus (milkfish) belly or salmon belly.
If you are confused with the steps, please look at the step by step pictures on the recipe post
Squash is not a traditional vegetable used in Ilocano dishes, and you can add vegetables like chayote, tomatoes or Luffa.
