Mama’s Ilocano Pinakbet with Bagnet

MAMA’S ILOCANO PINAKBET WITH BAGNET

Pinakbet originated from the Northern Provinces of the Philippines, Ilocos. It’s a mixed veggie stew that pays homage to the Ilocano farmers and help to support their harvest. My mom says it’s a heartfelt dish that Ilocanos can survive on, due to not having enough money since farming is their main source to provide to their family. This dish lets them use whatever vegetables are available. Pinakbet comes from the Ilocano term, “pinakebbet”, which means shrunk or shriveled. A stew cooked with all the seasonal vegetables together at once.

If you know my mom, you know that this is her signature dish that everyone in the family would ask her to cook for any occasion. This dish is the first Filipino dish that she taught me how to cook, side by side. You already know Filipino mom’s don’t usually do that. I always think she’s slowly passing me the torch to keep our culture alive, and help pass it along to the next generation. No matter how many miles away I am from her, I know when I cook this dish, I’ll forever feel like she’s right there with me when I’m homesick.

♥️ Bea Lugtu