Today's Delight

  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Vegetable

Ukoy (Shrimp and Squash Filipino Fritters)

Published: August 16, 2018 Last Modified: March 1, 2021 This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Ukoy Kalabasa is a popular Filipino shrimp and vegetable fritters served with a spicy garlicky vinegar dip. This ukoy recipe is made of shrimp and kabocha squash (kalabasa).

There are many variants of ukoy when it comes to the vegetable used. Aside from squash, bean sprout, carrot or sweet potato can be use too.

When cooking, use a cup or a tablespoon to measure ukoy mixture for uniform sizes. Served as a snack, appetizer or a main course.

ukoy shrimp and squash fritters is Today's Delight

This ukoy recipe is easy to make as long as you have the right batter consistency.

My mom made this frequently and we loved it. There were times when my parents were out of the country for many months and we craved for my mom’s ukoy. None of us knew how to make it.

My early days making ukoy was hit or missed. The first time I made it, it looked like a thick pancake. It took me a few tries to perfect the batter.

My mom has entered the world of dementia and she doesn’t remember how to cook. Whenever I make something, she’ll ask me if she used to make it.

All the Filipino food we make are my mom's recipes. Recipes passed on to her by her mom, grandma, mother-in-law and recipes she got from cookbooks, TV shows and friends that she improvised to her liking.

At one point she wanted me to show her how to cook. We told her no more cooking – it is our time to serve her. We tell her "Donya na siya" and she hates it. She feels so uneasy not being able to help with any house chores.

I don't know if it's a good thing that we don't allow her to do any house chores anymore. At least if she does, her mind can continue working. Just don't know..........

When my mom and my cat knows that I am preparing food, they are both watching me. I would tease my mom that both of them found a bed and breakfast accommodation.

I have my mom so I can spend time with her while I am not working. When I was working, I only cooked on the weekends and ordered during the week.

Now, I am cooking every other day or sometimes everyday!

ukoy shrimp and squash fritters recipe is Today's Delight
Try this Ukoy Kalabasa. Crispy and Yummy!

Well anyway, the success of a delicious, crispy and crunchy ukoy relies on the batter.

Majority of my moms recipes does not have measurements, so it took me a while to get the right consistency.

My mom and I are similar when it comes to cooking – we don’t follow measurements but with ukoy kalabasa, I need a guide.

I can devour many ukoy in one seating. When I was still working, there were times I don’t feel like cooking and craved for this fritters.

I discovered that Costco or maybe Sams sold shrimp vegetable fritters in their frozen section. It was not bad – it satisfied my craving but of course the homemade one is much better since it is crispier.

How to Cook Ukoy Kalabasa (Shrimp and Squash Filipino Fritters)



 

Bean Sprout Shrimp Fritter with Spicy Vinegar Garlic Dip is Today's Delight
Use peeled or unpeeled, head-on or headless small or large shrimp when making Ukoy Kalabasa.

Another delicious, crispy and crunchy ukoy recipe, Ukoy sa Togue. Try it today, too!

Recipe

ukoy shrimp and squash fritters is Today's Delight

Ukoy Kalabasa (Shrimp and Squash Filipino Fritters)

Ukoy is a popular Filipino Shrimp and Kabocha Squash Fritters fried until golden brown and crispy. Serve with spicy vinegar garlic dip.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Filipino
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 114kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 large or extra large shrimp head-on and unpeeled
  • 2 ½ cups kabocha squash kalabasa, grated

Ukoy batter:

  • ¾ cup cornstarch
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup green onion chopped

Vinegar Dip

  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • a pinch of salt
  • 3 Thai chili peppers

Instructions

  • Combine and mix together batter ingredients until smooth.
  • Stir in the kabocha squash.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  • Measure ukoy mixture with a tablespoon or a small cup whichever is easier. Scoop about 2 to 3 tablespoons of mixture, flatten and distribute evenly by pressing mixture with kitchen utensil. Place and press one large shrimp in the middle of mixture.
  • Note: It might be easier to form the mixture into a circle using a saucer or kitchen utensil and pressing the shrimp on top of the mixture. Use another utensil to help slide the mixture in the frying pan. If not sure how to do it please watch my video and I’ll show you 2 ways of dropping it in the pan.
  • Fry each side for about 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove ukoy from pan and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb excess oil for a minute. If not serving right away transfer to a wire rack to cool off.
  • Serve with spicy vinegar garlic dip. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. To make the vinegar dip, mix all the ingredients and serve on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 539mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1000IU | Vitamin C: 8.7mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.2mg

ukoy shrimp and squash fritters recipe is Today's Delight

Pin
Share
Email

More Vegetable Recipes

  • Pieces of Vietnamese fresh vegetables spring rolls with shrimp on a platter with peanut sauce.
    Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls Recipe
  • Chicken Chop Suey with Shrimp Stir-Fry in serving platter is Today's Delight.
    Chicken Chop Suey with Shrimp Stir-Fry
  • Sauteed spinach in a dish.
    Sauteed Spinach
  • One air fryer corn on the cob in basket.
    Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Our lucky star my Mom's profile for Today's Delight.
The Real Cook

Welcome to Today's Delight. My mom is a great cook and for many years had a catering business. Due to dementia, she doesn't remember. This food blog was inspired by our mom's cooking. 

More about me →

Holiday Food Ideas

  • How to Slow Cook a Ribeye Roast in the Oven is Today's Delight
    How to Slow Cook a Ribeye Roast in the Oven
  • Baked honey glazed ham on a shallow pan with rack.
    Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
  • Sliced Boneless Turkey Breast Roast in a platter, turkey gravy and side dishes.
    Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
  • King Crab Legs in Garlic Butter with lemon wedges.
    Crab Legs

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • Contact

Today's Delight is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Copyright © 2024 Today's Delight