Squash Okoy (Filipino Kalabasa Fritters)

Squash okoy or Filipino kalabasa fritters — perfect if you’re looking for something other than pumpkin pie or butternut squash soup to make this fall. Made of kalabasa or kabocha squash, it’s a truly unique and creative way to make use of this season’s favourite ingredient.

(For other unique pumpkin and squash recipes, check out this delicious recipe collection. It has everything from breakfast to dinner to dessert!).

Hey you guys. I tried to ignore it for as long as I can but there’s no denying it anymore — fall is here.

While some afternoons are still nice and warm, I already feel the crisp fall air in the mornings.

This week actually marks the official start of autumn so what the heck, let’s just embrace it and forget our silliness that summer will last forever (or was that just me?).

I didn’t want to go the usual pumpkin and butternut squash route though. There’s already a gazillion pumpkin-flavoured things out there for us to enjoy.

Instead, I’m sharing a beloved Filipino squash recipe — my uncle’s recipe for squash fritters (also called squash okoy or kalabasa fritters). It’s not out of this world I know but this uses kabocha squash and I bet that’s something you haven’t tried before.

And the local name for this dish is karamba. Now who can resist a dish with a name that makes you want to dance?

What is kalabasa or kabocha squash

Kabocha squash is squat and sweet and the kind of squash most common in the Philippines.

It’s called kalabasa locally (pronounced exactly as it’s spelled). Some people also call it a Japanese pumpkin, but here in North America it’s known as kabocha. Potato, po-tah-to.

Try it, it’s great. Read more about it here.

(Prefer buttercup squash? You’ll enjoy this air fryer fried squash recipe for sure.)

How to make squash okoy

Making squash okoy is quick and easy.

1. PREPARE FLOUR MIXTURE. In a medium bowl, stir flour, cornstarch, egg, water, fish sauce, minced garlic, salt and pepper until smooth.

2. ADD VEGETABLES. Add kabocha squash, carrots and green onions and stir until well combined.

3. FRY UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN. Put about a cup of oil in a large skillet and once it’s hot enough, scoop about ¼ cup squash batter into the oil and fry until the bottom turns a light golden brown. Flip and fry until the other side is golden brown too.

4. ENJOY! Put the fried fritters on a tray lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Serve immediately.

The best way to eat kalabasa fritters

So how do you eat these kabocha squash fritters anyway?

Technically this is a snack (or merienda). But because Filipinos are rice-obsessed, many eat it with rice or as a side dish.

What’s universal is Filipinos dip it in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, red chili, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. There’s really no recipe for the dipping sauce as everything is done to taste.

Because I’m lazy though, I just mix vinegar, soy sauce and sriracha and call it a day. The sweet, salty, crunchy karamba pairs extremely well with the sour, salty and chili sauce.

So go ahead. Go kabocha crazy. And let’s bid adieu to summer together. Aye caramba!

Other delicious Filipino recipes

Filipino cuisine is delicious and unlike no other. Here are other unique recipes you can try:

• Ube is purple yam and is a Filipino favourite. It’s usually used in desserts, like in this recipe for ube cupcakes with ube whipped cream frosting.
• Pancit canton is probably one of the most well-known Filipino dishes. It’s similar to Chinese chow mein.
• If you’re looking for something warm and cozy, this chicken sopas recipe (the Filipino version of chicken macaroni soup) is just what you need.
• And if it’s something cold and refreshing you want, ice buko or Filipino coconut popsicles are a wonderful treat.

Happy frying!

Did you make this pinoy squash recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

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