Kalabasa na Ukoy

My husband is one of the most uncomplaining men I know. He finds happiness in simple things. Good weather, afternoon walks,  old classic movies and simple foods. He is not a difficult man to please . Yet, just like you and me, there are still things that make him roll his eyes in disapproval. The list is not long, so it is quite easy to remember .  For example, he has a   strong aversion to zucchinis , eggplants and squash as much as the unnecessary , dirty laundry airings on Facebook. Facebook has delete and unfriend button, but I have to do something with these vegetables since I love all three!

I made squash fritters or Ukoy today. Refused to tell him what's in it, actually.  Cruuuunch! crunch! Church! Only the sound coming out from his oral cavity can  be heard as he ate the Ukoy with gusto. I know my husband too well, I know that he likes it before he could tell me.  Hate list updated. One down, two more to go!

Ingredients: 

600 g kalabasa/ squash, peeled and julienned
3 stalks of spring onion, chopped

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tbsp cup cornstarch

1/2- 1  cup ice water

1 large egg
1 tsp. crispy prawn chili paste, optional

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. annatto powder

1 tsp. white pepper

2 tbsp. salt

250 g shrimps, peeled  and diveined 

Oil for frying

Spicy dip 

1/2 cup vinegar

1 tbsp. sesame seed, toasted

1 clove of garlic, smashed

1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp. raw palm sugar
1 tbsp. of chopped green onions

1/2 tsp. chili paste  or 1-2 chilies, optional

Cooking instruction: 

Prepare dip: Toast sesame seeds in a pan until golden brown and aromatic. Mix the rest of the dipping  sauce. You can add or omit chilies. Set aside.

 1. Peel and cut squash into thin strips. Add in chopped spring onion.

 2. Mix together flour, cornstarch, annatto powder, salt, white pepper and garlic powder.

 3. Beat the egg and stir in crispy prawn chilli paste. If you don't have this spice, you could omit it.  Beat in 1/2 cup ice water.

 4. Add egg and water mixture into the dry ingredients , mix until  all lumps dissolve. If the batter is still too dry, add more ice water  until the desired consistency is reached. It should not be too thick and not too runny.

 5. Pour batter over the squash and onion.

6. Heat oil in the wok. Scoop a tablespoonful of squash and batter, press a shrimp on top and carefully drop into the hot oil. Flip and fry to a crisp . Drain on a paper towel and serve pipping hot.

Can't really blame him now, can we?