Similar to bulanglang and dinengdeng, Laswa is a healthy vegetable soup that makes use of any available vegetables from the backyard. This dish originated from the province of Iloilo in the Philippines.
What makes Laswa unique from other related vegetable dishes is the inclusion of shrimp in the recipe. As you can see from the list below, this laswa recipe requires shrimp. It is be better to use the ones with head and shells intact. It has more flavor compared to the packaged shrimp that were already cleaned. You will know what I mean after trying the soup.
I like laswa and I enjoy eating this dish because it is simple, inexpensive, low in fat, and full of vitamins and nutrients. This is usually best eaten with rice, but I opt to have it plainly as it is. I still get full after 2 servings – the secret is to eat more kalabasa.
Aside from the vegetable ingredients listed below, other vegetables can be added. For example, you can use malunggay leaves and alugbati as a replacement for saluyot, or you can add everything in the pot. Feel free to add some papaya or chayote, if preferred.
Try this Laswa recipe. Let me know what you think.
Laswa Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb. Shrimp cleaned
- 2 pieces Chinese eggplant sliced
- 1 1/2 cups cubed kalabasa calabaza squash
- 1/2 lb. String beans cut into 2 inch length
- 1 1/2 cups Saluyot leaves
- 2 pieces medium tomato wedged
- 10 pieces okra
- 1 medium yellow onion wedged
- 4 to 5 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the water in a cooking pot.
- Put-in the tomato and onion. Cook covered for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the shrimp. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the string beans, okra, eggplant, and kalabasa. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Put-in the saluyot. Stir and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Serve. Share and enjoy!
Sassygirl876 says
This is my favorite ilonggo dish! You can also use malunggay instead of alogbate or saluyot. Shld eat with fried fish on the side!
msJojo says
Thank you for this recipe. Just discovered your site — I’m an instant fan!
lowellrublico says
This is really a delicious and less expensive yet very nutritious recipe.
Laurie B. says
Thank you for this recipe. I was craving it and it turned out delicious!
airyn says
love it!
Totoy Badiola says
According to your instruction, cooking time adds up to 15 min and not 25 min. What should happen in the missing 10 min?
Vanjo Merano says
Adding all the indicated minutes for each step represent some or most of the cooking time. However, you want to also add steps suggests cooking indirectly in which time may vary. Step 1 (boil the water) can easily be that missing 10 minutes more or less, along with the others such as adding salt and pepper and stirring.