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    Home » Vegetable Recipes

    Ginisang Upo Recipe

    Published: Nov 17, 2023 by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 4 Comments

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    Ginisang Upo combines the subtle sweetness of bottle gourd sautéed with aromatics and shrimp or other proteins. This wholesome meal comes together quickly, easily prepared in less than 30 minutes!

    Ginisang Upo on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • Notes and substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Explore more Filipino sautés and stir-fries
    • Other vegetable recipes you may like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients you'll need

    Individual ingredients for Ginisang Upo
    Salt, pepper, water, and oil are not in the photo.

    Notes and substitutions

    • Upo: Also known as bottle gourd, it is a long, green vegetable with a mild and slightly sweet taste. Zucchini or chayote, both from the gourd family, make suitable substitutes.
    • Shrimp: It cooks quickly and complements the mild flavor of the upo well. You can also use chicken, pork, tofu, or fish.

    How to make this recipe

    Step 1: Prepare the upo

    Rinse the upo (bottle gourd) and peel the skin off. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, , about ¼-inch thick. Set it aside.

    If the upo is young and the seeds are tender, you can leave them in; however, for more mature upo with harder seeds, it's best to remove them.

    Slicing upo on a cutting board.

    Step 2: Make the sauce

    Prepare the sauce by combining 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, ½ teaspoon of sugar, and ½ cup of water in a bowl. Set aside.

    Mixing the sauce in a bowl.

    Step 3: Sear the shrimp

    Heat a wok or sauté pan over medium-high heat, then add a small amount of oil to coat the bottom. Lightly season the shrimp with salt, then quickly sear them just until they turn pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

    Searing the shrimp in the wok.

    PRO TIP: To achieve a nice crust on the shrimp without overcooking them, make sure to add them to a very hot pan. This quick sear locks in flavors and creates a deliciously crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

    Step 4: Sauté the aromatics

    Add a bit more oil if needed, and sauté the garlic and onions over medium heat until they soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften and caramelize, about 5 minutes.

    Sauteing the aromatics in the wok.

    PRO TIP: Caramelize your aromatics, especially the tomatoes, to create a rich and flavorful base for your ginisa. Take your time and don't rush this step.

    Step 5: Add the chili peppers (optional)

    If using, add the sliced chili peppers and sauté for about a minute to bring out their flavor and reduce their spiciness.

    Adding the chilies to the other aromatics in the wok.

    Step 6: Add the upo and sauce

    Add the upo and the prepared sauce. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, constantly tossing, until desired tenderness. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. As the upo cooks, it will release more water, which may thin the sauce.

    Added the upo and sauce to the wok.

    Step 7: Add the shrimp

    Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and mix gently to combine. Turn off the heat.

    Adding the shrimp to the upo in the wok.

    Serve your Ginisang Upo with a side of steamed rice, and enjoy!

    Cooked Ginisang Upo in the wok.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is upo?

    Upo, also known as bottle gourd, is a long, green vegetable with a mild and slightly sweet taste. A member of the gourd family, it is popular in Filipino and other Asian cuisines. It is ideal for soups, stews, and stir-fries, with a texture similar to squash, becoming soft and tender when cooked.

    Can you eat the seeds of upo?

    Yes. The seeds of upo (bottle gourd) are edible, especially when they are young and tender. In the early stages of the gourd's growth, the seeds are soft and can be cooked along with the flesh of the upo. However, as the gourd matures, the seeds become harder and more fibrous, making them less desirable for consumption.

    How should you cut upo?

    Start by peeling off the outer skin with a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. If the upo is large, slice it in half to make it easier to handle. If it is mature with hard seeds, use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds. If it's young and the seeds are tender, they can be left in. Slice the upo into half-moons or bite-sized pieces, depending on your recipe.

    Explore more Filipino sautés and stir-fries

    • Stir-fried Kangkong: Water spinach stir-fried with garlic, seasoned with fish sauce or salt and pepper.
    • Ampalaya con Carne: Stir-fried bitter melon and beef slices with a savory sauce.
    • Ginisang Pechay: Sautéed bok choy with garlic and sometimes with added proteins like pork or shrimp.
    • Ginisang Ampalaya: Sautéed bitter melon with aromatics and beaten eggs.
    • Ginisang Sayote: A stir-fry with chayote (sayote) sautéed with aromatics, often with pork or shrimp.
    • Ginisang Okra: Okra sautéed with garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
    • Ginisang Togue: Mung bean sprouts (togue) stir-fried with vegetables and sometimes tofu or shrimp.
    • Adobong Sitaw: String beans cooked adobo-style with vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic.
    • Adobong Kangkong: Water spinach cooked in a classic adobo sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves, creating a tangy and savory flavor profile.

    Other vegetable recipes you may like

    • Ginataang Puso ng Saging in a bowl.
      Ginataang Puso ng Saging Recipe
    • Tofu and Mushroom Adobo on a plate.
      Tofu and Mushroom Adobo Recipe
    • Laing with shrimp on a plate.
      Laing Recipe
    • Adobong Talong on a plate.
      Adobong Talong Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes.  Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

    Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. Be sure to tag me when you try any of my recipes @recipesbynora!

    📖 Recipe

    Ginisang upo in a wok.

    Ginisang Upo Recipe

    A wholesome dish with bottle gourd sautéed with aromatics and shrimp or other proteins.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 112kcal
    Author: Nora Rey
    Cost: $5-$7

    Equipment

    • Wok or Sauté pan

    Ingredients

    • 1½ pounds upo (bottle gourd) peeled and cut into thin, bite-sized pieces; see note
    • 8 ounces shrimp peeled and deveined; see note
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ onion finely chopped
    • 2 ripe tomatoes chopped
    • 2 red or green chili peppers sliced (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce sub: fish sauce
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Neutral oil for searing and sautéing
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Rinse the upo and peel the skin off. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about ¼-inch thick. Set it aside.
      If the upo is young and the seeds are tender, you can leave them in; however, for more mature upo with harder seeds, it's best to remove them.
    • Prepare the sauce by combining oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and ½ cup of water in a bowl. Set aside.
    • Heat your wok over medium-high heat, then add a small amount of oil to coat the bottom. Lightly season the shrimp with salt, then quickly sear them just until they turn pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
      PRO TIP: To achieve a nice crust on the shrimp without overcooking them, make sure to add them to a very hot pan. This quick sear locks in flavors and creates a deliciously crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
    • Add a bit more oil if needed, and sauté the garlic and onions over medium heat until they soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften and caramelize, about 5 minutes.
      PRO TIP: Caramelize your aromatics, especially the tomatoes, to create a rich and flavorful base for your ginisa. Take your time and don't rush this step.
    • If using, add the sliced chili peppers and sauté for about a minute to bring out their flavor and reduce their spiciness.
    • Add the upo and the prepared sauce. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, constantly tossing, until desired tenderness. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. As the upo cooks, it will release more water, which may thin the sauce.
    • Return the cooked shrimp to the pan and mix gently to combine. Turn off the heat.
    • Serve your Ginisang Upo with a side of steamed rice, and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Upo: Also known as bottle gourd, it is a long, green vegetable with a mild and slightly sweet taste. Zucchini or chayote, both from the gourd family, make suitable substitutes.
    • Shrimp: It cooks quickly and complements the mild flavor of the upo well. You can also use chicken, pork, tofu, or fish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 9gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 398mgPotassium: 373mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 485IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!

    More Vegetable Recipes

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      Ginataang Ampalaya Recipe
    • Ginisang Okra on a plate.
      Ginisang Okra Recipe
    • Lumpiang Labong with a vinegar dipping sauce on a banana leaf.
      Lumpiang Labong Recipe
    • Adobong Sitaw on a cooking pan scooped by a spoon.
      Adobong Sitaw Recipe
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    About the author

    Hi, I'm Nora! 

    Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mark

      November 23, 2023 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!!!

      Reply
      • Nora Reyes

        November 27, 2023 at 1:56 pm

        Thanks, Mark!

        Reply
    2. Linda

      November 17, 2023 at 8:29 pm

      I am making this. I found upo in hmart. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Nora Reyes

        November 27, 2023 at 1:48 pm

        Hi Linda! Thanks and I hope you enjoy! =)

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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