“Ang KALABASA ang gulay na pampalinaw ng mata.”

I remember how my Science teacher way back in Grade 1 discussed the importance of eating vegetables. Unlike most kids (and adults), I was not forced by my parents to eat veggies. My parents see to it that we have meat and vegetables on our dining table for lunch and dinner.

Last Tuesday, a number of food bloggers were invited in Erik Matti’s FWORD Resto. Winston and I were surprised with the Pakbet Soup. I told him that I was addicted to SQUASH (Kalabasa) way back in elementary. I found out that he is a Kalabasa lover too for the same reason. We both promised to write a blog entry about it.

I remember the smile on my grandfather’s face whenever I go with him to the market and demand him to buy squash for dinner. I even brought one in school when they asked us to bring the vegetable that we really, really love.

I also fell in love with Carrots. I remember drinking carrot shake way back. Who is my influence in loving carrots? Ask Bugs Bunny, my imaginary friend. Since the, I declared that my favorite color in the whole wide world is Orange 😀

My mom narrated this funny story. The first vegetable I got addicted to is Tomato (kamatis). According to them, I used to eat Tomato with salt and I can finish five in one sitting. When my Tito Vincent asked me what I want as a pasalubong from Baguio, I’d always say “Apple”. But its not really the real apple that I want. I want Tomato. I want kamatis. I want apple lolz 😀

Another vegetable that caught my tummy is Malunggay. We used to live in a house were there’s a lot of trees and plants. We have a malunggay tree there that’s why my nanny used to pick the malunggay and the malunggay leaves at our backyard and cook pinakbet the ilocano way.

Sayote is another favorite. Carlo loves it too. My father once cooked sayote with different shapes and sizes. I bet he was bored that day hehehe 😀 Okra with Bagoong from Pangasinan can make Mica happy.

So that’s it for now. I am not a vegetarian like Yasmien Kurdi , but I am still convincing everyone to eat vegetable. If possible, see to it that you have one type of veggie on every meal though to be honest, I am not practicing that family tradition right now unlike when I was still in Pangasinan.

What about you? What’s your favorite vegetable?

** A blog entry about a Dagupena and Davaoeno’s FWORD adventure will be posted soon at Patay Gutom