Dinoydoy a regional dish in the Philippines popular in the region of Ilocos, the area my mother was born. It's a naturally low-carb dish made of sautéed bitter melon and nearly pureed squash flavoured with fish sauce and pork. Bitter melon is very healthy, but is an acquired taste for western palates. But when you pair it with the sweetness of squash and the umami flavour of fish sauce, you get a wider flavour profile that is absolutely delicious! It's a wonderful veggie side dish for a Filipino meal.

Filipino Sautéed Bitter Melon and Squash Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 large bitter melon, seeds removed and sliced
  • 1 small kabocha or butter cup pumpkin, chopped into 1" pieces
  • 200g pork belly, thinly sliced (*May sub with bacon.)
  • 2 cups chicken bone broth
  • 1 medium-sized tomato, chopped -Fish sauce , to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0752MX1DH/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B0752MX1DH&linkCode=as2&tag=westcoastjiuj-20&linkId=f31055f87f17da63dabf3a2a5849cefb), to taste

Directions:

  1. Heat a wok or large skillet to medium, add garlic and onions and sauté until onion is translucent.
  2. Add pork and brown on all sides.
  3. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add chicken bone broth and squash and cook for 15-20 minutes or until it starts to disintegrate.
  5. Add bitter melon then cook for 5 more minutes or until bitter melon is cooked.
  6. Remove from heat. Season with fish sauce and freshly ground black pepper, and serve on its own or over steamed cauliflower rice, if desired.

Did you make this keto dinoydoy (Filipino sautéed bitter melon and squash) recipe? If so, please let me know how it turned out in the comments. Or if you share pics of your creations on Instagram, please tag me so I can see them. Enjoy! :)