Ginataang Halaan with Malungay at Bulaklak ng Kalabasa

Ginataang Halaan with Malungay at Bulaklak ng Kalabasa. Squash flower are deliciously beautiful, they are in abundance during the summer months in the in Muntinlupa and San Pedro, Laguna area. The banks of Laguna Lake become dry during summer, exposing a very fertile land. The residence along the lakes take advantage of this fertile dry bank of the Laguna Lake and plant all kinds of vegetables including kalabasa, that’s where our special squash flower ingredient came from. There is an abundance of fresh vegetables during this time.

I thought the beautiful squash flowers would go best with one of my favorite seafood, halaan cooked with coconut milk. As expected my Ginataang Halaan with Malungay at Bulaklak ng Kalabasa, did not only looked great it did taste great as well.

Here is the recipe of my Ginataang Halaan with Malungay at Bulaklak ng Kalabasa, would you try to cook it if you find squash flower at your location?

Ingredients:

1 kilo halaan

2 big bundle bulaklak ng kalabasa, squash flowers, trimmed, separate stems

1 big bundle malungay leaves, removed from stem

1-2 thumb sized ginger,skinned, cut into strips

1/2 head garlic, peeled, crushed, chopped

1 medium size onion, peeled, chopped

1-2 siling labuyo, chopped

4 cups coconut milk

cooking oil

salt

Cooking procedure:

Place clams in a plastic container with lid, cover with water and let sit for several hours to allow the clams to expel sand and discard sea water, change water frequently, wash and drain. In a large sauce pan sauté garlic, ginger and onion until fragrant. Add in siling labuyo and 3 cups of the coconut milk, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced to half, stirring occasionally to prevent from curdling. Add in clams, the remaining coconut milk, malungay leaves and squase flower stems. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until all the clam shells start to open. Add in the squash flowers, season with salt to taste and cook for another minute. Serve immediately with a lot of rice.

See other Ginataang Shell Seafood recipes:

Green Mussels and Vegetables in Coconut Milk
Ginataang Tahong, Mussels in Coconut Milk
Ginataang Halaan with Kangkong
Ginataang Halaan

Ginataang Kuhol
Ginataang Kuhol with Kangkong
Ginataang Tabagwang at Puso ng Saging
Ginataang Puso ng Saging at Saang
Ginataang Susong Pilipit with Banana Blossom

See other Ginataang Squid and Octopus recipes

Ginataang Pugita, Baby Octopus in Coconut Milk
Ginataang Pusit, Squid in Coconut Milk
Ginataang Pusit at Baboy
Ginataang Pagi, Stingray in Coconut Milk