Pansit Kalabuko is a stir-fried dish made up of all natural and organic ingredients. Instead of using noodles as base like the more traditional pancit Filipinos love, this dish uses vegetables for a healthier—and more delicious—alternative.
The main ingredients for Pansit Kalabuko, as the name suggests, are organic mushroom (or kabute in Filipino, where the “ka” comes from), squash (or kalabasa for “la”), and coconut (buko) meat. Other vegetables, fruits, and spices and seasonings are added to the mix to complete the delicious dish.
Basically, all the ingredients are stir-fried in a wok until they are cooked—not too well, but just enough for them to mix together as a dish.
Pansit Kalabuko has become a very popular dish in San Pablo City in Laguna. Legend has it that the dish was created by a farmer who wanted to show his wife how much he loved her. The farmer then harvested some of their farm’s produce and started putting them together, eventually inventing a new dish.
The dish is starting to have some variations. There’s a version that adds beef broth to the mix for added flavor.
But the original dish originated from the Forest Wood Garden Farm located in Sta. Elena Village. There, the dish is made up of strips of buko, kalabasa, green papaya, mushroom, and several vegetable tips such as purple camote tops, sili, and kangkong.
Those who want a bit of meat, can do so. The dish can come with the meat of a native pig or wild boar, seasoned in a solution of turmeric (luyang dilaw) and marinated with basil. Hungry yet?
Best of all is that Pansit Kalabuko is a guilt-free dish. If you didn’t know that it’s all vegetables and fruits, you probably wouldn’t have guessed. That makes it an awesome way to encourage children to add veggies and fruits to their diet.
This is the kind of food that travelers and locals alike look for. It’s a different culinary adventure that reflects the region’s culture. It’s healthy, affordable, and delicious!