Joy in eating vegetables
It gives us great joy when we see children eating vegetables. Their parents must have been good examples and encouraged their kids to relish the greens in their meals. We are happy as well that some organizations are now into promoting healthy eating and encouraging homemakers to cook and serve vegetables more often.
One such group is Mama Sita’s, that company which has given us a line of flavorful seasonings. Recently the group participated in the “Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair” which gathered more than 200 participants. Its main objective was to encourage cooking and eating vegetables. Held in mid-March, the event was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Domestic Trade. It brought together those involved in micro, small and meduim enterprises, all interested in promoting and strengthening the local market.
During the seven-day event, Mama Sita’s presented several dishes highlighting the delicious and nutritious values of locally grown vegetables. Among the dishes were kare-kareng gulay using banana heart, pechay, eggplant and sitaw. Also the very simple sitaw guisado to which we normally add squash and coconut cream. Vegetables were even barbecued at that event.
One recipe we often cook is creamy squash soup, a very appetizing starter for any meal. Cut a quarter of a big squash into small wedges. Sauté garlic and onion in a little oil. Add squash and pour a tablespoon of patis, cover to seal flavor. Then pour one third cup of coconut cream and add hebi (dried little shrimps available in packets at wet markets). Simmer until desired consistency.
Another special dish is rellenong sili (stuffed bell pepper). Roast the pepper and peel off skin. Sauté ground pork in tomatoes and onion, season with salt and pepper. Stuff the pepper with the mixture, coat with beaten egg and fry. Current prices at HyperMart (per kilo): pork
menudo cut – P228.35; beef kenchi – P359.25; dressed chicken P120; broccoli flowers P105; calamansi – P90; Baguio pechay – P79. We will do the wet market in the next issue.
Meantime, cook with vegetables and make your family healthy.
Enjoy a family Sunday!
E-mail me at lydiadolores34@gmail.com.