Ginataang Alimasag with Sitaw at Kalabasa: A Creamy, Flavorful Filipino Crab Delight
Ginataang Alimasag with Sitaw at Kalabasa is a rich, coconut-based stew that combines fresh blue crabs (alimasag) with tender squash (kalabasa) and string beans (sitaw) in a creamy, aromatic gata (coconut milk) sauce. This dish is a comforting, seafood-packed meal that highlights the natural sweetness of crab and the heartiness of Filipino vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
✅ Rich & Creamy – Coconut milk makes the sauce luscious and flavorful.
🦀 Fresh & Sweet Crab Meat – Blue crabs (alimasag) add a delicious oceanic taste.
🥬 Nutritious Veggies – Squash and sitaw provide fiber and vitamins.
🌶 Customizable Heat – Add chili peppers for a spicy kick (optional).
Key Ingredients
- Fresh blue crabs (alimasag or alimango) – Cleaned and halved.
- Coconut milk (gata) – Use fresh or canned for best results.
- Kalabasa (squash) – Adds natural sweetness and creaminess.
- Sitaw (string beans) – For crunch and color.
- Garlic, onions, ginger – The classic Filipino flavor base.
- Fish sauce (patis) or salt – For seasoning.
- Chili leaves (dahon ng sili) or spinach – Optional for extra greens.
Serving Suggestions
🍚 Best with steamed rice – The creamy sauce is perfect for drizzling.
🍋 Squeeze calamansi – Adds a bright, tangy finish.
🌶 Pair with bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) – For a salty contrast.
Pro Tips
✔ Use live or fresh crabs – For the sweetest, most flavorful meat.
🔥 Simmer gently – Avoid boiling coconut milk too hard to prevent curdling.
🥥 Add coconut cream (kakang gata) – For an extra-rich sauce.
This Ginataang Alimasag is a showstopper dish—creamy, savory, and packed with fresh seafood goodness!
Love ginataan dishes? Try our Ginataang Hipon (Shrimp in Coconut Milk) or Ginataang Tilapia next! 🦀🥥
Enjoy, share, and kain na! 😋
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Delicious Recipe for Ginataang Alimasag with Sitaw at Kalabasa
Description
Ginataang Alimasag with Sitaw at Kalabasa or Ginataang alimango is a flavorful crab Filipino dish in a creamy coconut sauce with vegetables. Now a days several variations of this recipe circulating online
They are all very similar in cooking style except for the vegetable that comes with it. The base ingredients are crabs and coconut cream, with vegetables added. Of course, the spices and seasonings are what make the dish appetizing and delectable.
Ingredients
Instructions
Preparation:
You can either extract the coconut milk (gata) from a fresh coconut or use coconut milk in a can or pouch.
Peel the squash (kalabasa) and slice into cubes. Then peel and chop the onion and garlic. Set aside.
Clean the crabs (Alimasag or Alimango), brush the shells, wash, and drain.
Cooking:
Heat vegetable oil in a pot or wok over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and saute for a few seconds until it turns a light brown, then add the onion and saute until softened.
Add the squash (kalabasa), stir, and season with fish sauce and ground black pepper.
Pour in the coconut milk and cook for 5 minutes.
Note: We cook the squash (kalabasa) first to make it soft, which gives the sauce an extra creamy texture.Put in the alimasag or alimango (crabs) and stir. Cook for 10 minutes or until the liquid reduces.
Add the string beans (sitaw), stir, and cook for 5 minutes.
Taste and adjust it as necessary; add salt if needed, especially if you use processed coconut milk.
Once cooked, remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl.
Serve hot with a side of steaming rice.
Happy cooking! Share and enjoy the food.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 445kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 34.7g54%
- Saturated Fat 26.3g132%
- Cholesterol 83mg28%
- Sodium 640mg27%
- Potassium 745mg22%
- Total Carbohydrate 11.7g4%
- Dietary Fiber 5.5g22%
- Sugars 7.7g
- Protein 21.6g44%
- Calcium 11 mg
- Iron 19 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
