Pinak-best-pinakbet

CEBU, Philippines – In the Cebu countryside, and likely to be also true in the rural areas of the rest of the country, vegetables grow abundantly. There's often enough space

around the house where

to plant ampalaya, okra, eggplants, tomatoes, string beans, alugbate, malunggay etc. Families need only maintain a small garden to have enough supply of these vegetables the whole year round.

Vegetables raised at home are the best. They are only picked from the plant the very moment they are to be used. It couldn't be fresher than that, aside of course from the assurance that the vegetables are grown in clean environment.

Fresh vegetables, when cooked just right, give a crunchy bite. They are also juicier and have a more inviting flavor.

One favorite vegetable dish is the pinakbet. It is usually recommended to be served hot. But, actually, the leftover from the initial meal gets even more flavorful, perhaps as the scent of sautéed garlic, onion, and ginger have already seeped better into the vegetables.