Pinakbet may be one of the most recognizable dishes from Ilocos, but there is no single version found across the Philippines.
Traditional Ilocano pinakbet is built around fish bagoong and vegetables like ampalaya, eggplant, and okra, sometimes with patani or kardis. Some sauté the aromatics, some gently steam the vegetables together to preserve the taste and nutrition content. As pinakbet traveled beyond Ilocos, the recipe evolved.
In this episode of Lutong Bahay, we look at how one dish can change from place to place while still carrying the identity of where it began.
Erwan’s food trip in Ilocos: https://youtu.be/_WWi7oCZjj0
