Pinakbet Festival

Pinakbet Festival - Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur
April 23, 2011

I cannot believe when I saw in the list of festivals all over the Philippines from the Department of Tourism that one of the my favorite dishes the pinakbet or sometimes called pakbet joins in the wide array of festivals in the Philippine archipelago. I once wrote an article about Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur and at this coastal town of Ilocos Sur they celebrate their festivity called Pinakbet Festival.

A festival celebrating the favorite dish of the Ilocanos, "pinakbet"; it features street dances and cooking competitions and honors the Sta. Maria’s farmers’ industry and their housewives’ cooking skills.

Pinakbet is known of in the Ilocandia Region and I am certain that if you're an Ilocano descent you know how to cook this scrumptious dish. As of me, basically I do know how to cook this dish. Below is a Pinakbet Recipe.

Typical "Pinakbet" Recipe of Ilocanos
Estimated cooking time: 35 minutes
Ingredients :

• ½  lb. pork, sliced
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• ½ squash, cubed
• 2 cups sliced okra
• 2 cups 1-1/2 inch long cut sitaw (yard long beans)
• 2 eggplants, sliced
• 1 ampalaya (bitter gourd and/or bitter melon), sliced
• 1 to 1-1/2 cup water
• 2 to 3 tbsp. bagoong alamang (salted shrimp paste)
• ½ cup of patani (lima beans) optional

I do remember when my mom always cook pinakbet she often add patani or lima beans and you know what we like it so much, guess you should try it also. During celebrations, pinakbet is one of the main dishes she served. My mom cooks the best pinakbet in my hometown.

Cooking Procedures :

1. In a large, deep skillet (or casserole), heat oil over medium heat. Cook pork until it turns slightly brown.
2. Stir in garlic, onions and tomatoes. Sauté for a few minutes until tomatoes wilted.
3. Add squash and okra, stir-fry for a minute or two and then add the rest of the vegetables. Gently stir to combine.
4. Pour in water and add the bagoong alamang, and bring to a boil.
5. Lower the heat and simmer covered over low heat until vegetables are tender. Be sure not to overcook it. You may wish to correct the taste by adding a little bit of bagoong alamang. Gently stir to blend.
6. Immediately remove from heat. Transfer to a serving dish. Serve hot.
7. Serve with plain rice.

I encourage you to join this festivity and eat delicious pinakbet.. see you there...

Santa Maria,IS is also known for the Baroque Church follow the link below.

Baroque Church of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur