Legend has it that a fisherman's wife was asked to cook some fresh fish in vinegar and spices but the devil took all the fish while the wife was somewhere else. The wife proceeded to cook the dish but added vegetables hoping the husband will not notice. Lo and behold, he didn't! And even said it was the best fish stew in vinegar he has ever tasted. A huge round fo applause for the ever resilient wife! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Finally, I was able to gather all fresh produce from the "farmville" I needed to whip up this pickled vegetable dish. You're suppose to wait 3 days to allow all spices and vegetables' flavor to marry BUT I just could not wait. Pare it with whatever fried food you have for your main meal and you'll really say, "thank God, the devil took all the fish!!:, LOL!
Ingredients:
Procedure:
Finally, I was able to gather all fresh produce from the "farmville" I needed to whip up this pickled vegetable dish. You're suppose to wait 3 days to allow all spices and vegetables' flavor to marry BUT I just could not wait. Pare it with whatever fried food you have for your main meal and you'll really say, "thank God, the devil took all the fish!!:, LOL!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup local spiced vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 big thumb of ginger (crushed and coarsely chopped)
- 4 cloves of garlic (crushed and coarsely chopped)
- 2 medium red onion (quartered)
- whole peppercorns
- ampalaya / bitter-gourd (sliced)
- eggplant (sliced)
- sitaw / string beans (cut into serving size)
- stem of kangkong (firm ones)
- long green mild chilies (siling pamaksiw) (do not cut)
Procedure:
- Sprinkle some salt on the ampalaya slices and let side for 15 minutes. Wash thoroughly thereafter.
- In a heavy bottom pan or wok, mix equal amounts of water, vinegar, and sugar. Simmer until sugar has dissolved.
- Add ginger, garlic, and peppercorns and let boil.
- Add ampalaya.
- Add eggplant when ampalaya is half-cooked.
- Add string beans and kangkong stems, and the mild chilies.
- Simmer.
- Adjust the taste with either more water, vinegar, or sugar. Add some salt.
- Best served after a couple of days.