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Ukoy, also spelled Okoy, is a traditional Filipino fritter made with vegetables and often small shrimp. Popular variations include bean sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes and other locally available ingredients.
The vegetables are coated in batter and fried until golden and crispy. Ukoy is commonly enjoyed as a snack, appetiser or street food, traditionally accompanied by a tangy vinegar dipping sauce known as Sawsawang Suka.
My version takes a creative detour through the waffle iron. Butternut squash, zucchini and onions meet chickpea flour, while the familiar crispy texture gets a modern, oil-conscious twist.
Traditional Filipino inspiration, a brand-new kitchen gadget and a little Via Veggie Vegan mischief.
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The Philippines – A Culinary Love Affair with Coconut
The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands in Southeast Asia, with a wonderfully diverse culinary heritage shaped by regional traditions, tropical ingredients and centuries of cultural exchange. Coconut is an essential ingredient in many Filipino kitchens, particularly in regions where coconut palms grow abundantly. One beloved cooking technique is known as ginataan, which involves simmering vegetables, seafood, meat or even sweet ingredients in coconut milk. Combined with aromatic garlic, ginger, onions and chili, coconut milk creates wonderfully rich and comforting dishes. Squash and yardlong beans are especially popular vegetables in Filipino home cooking, making their combination a delicious example of the country's flavorful everyday cuisine.
Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw – Filipino Comfort Food with a Creative Twist
Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw translates roughly to squash and yardlong beans cooked in coconut milk. Kalabasa refers to squash, while sitaw describes the long, slender beans commonly used in Filipino cooking. Traditional preparations often include shrimp, pork or fish sauce, although the ingredients and seasonings vary between households. My completely vegan interpretation uses plant-based fish sauce, plenty of garlic, fresh ginger, chili and creamy coconut milk. Instead of traditional kalabasa, I roast a small Hokkaido squash and transform its two halves into edible serving bowls. Fresh coriander, lime and homemade lemongrass salt add my personal Via Veggie Vegan signature. The result is Filipino comfort food at heart, with a generous helping of Team Garlic, Team Spicy and a little zero-waste kitchen magic.
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Cambodia – The Aromatic World of Khmer CuisineCambodia's culinary heritage is shaped by regional traditions, fresh ingredients and influences from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Khmer cuisine is known for its fragrant combinations of lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, garlic and fresh herbs. Cambodian curries often emphasise aromatic flavours and a balance of savoury, sweet and sour notes rather than intense chilli heat.
What Is Khmer Pumpkin Curry?Khmer Pumpkin Curry is a Cambodian-inspired dish combining tender pumpkin with fragrant aromatics and creamy coconut milk. My Via Veggie Vegan interpretation uses Hokkaido squash, fresh lemongrass, galangal, ginger, turmeric, garlic, vegan fish sauce and lime. The naturally sweet pumpkin complements the golden coconut sauce beautifully. This is a personal plant-based interpretation of Cambodian curry traditions rather than a reproduction of one specific traditional recipe.
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France – Alsace and Its Unique Culinary Heritage
Alsace is a beautiful region in northeastern France, bordering Germany and Switzerland. Its cuisine reflects centuries of French and German cultural influences, combining rustic traditions with hearty, comforting flavours. One of the region's most famous specialities is Flammkuchen, known in French as tarte flambée. Traditionally baked in intensely heated wood-fired ovens, this thin, crispy flatbread is a beloved part of Alsatian food culture. Its classic combination of crème fraîche, onions and bacon demonstrates how just a few simple ingredients can create something wonderfully satisfying.
What Is Vegan Halloween Flammkuchen?
Vegan Halloween Flammkuchen is my playful, plant-based interpretation of the traditional Alsatian tarte flambée. Instead of dairy crème fraîche and bacon, I use a creamy vegan alternative and savoury plant-based bacon cubes, combined with red onions, spring onions, nutritional yeast and freshly grated nutmeg. The homemade yeast-free dough is rolled out thinly and shaped into two adorable Halloween mummies, complete with crispy pastry bandages and spooky olive eyes. This creative Via Veggie Vegan version brings together authentic Alsatian inspiration, delicious vegan ingredients and a generous helping of Halloween imagination – proving that even a French culinary classic can enjoy a wonderfully spooky makeover!
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