
Tita Becky •
October 10, 2025
In case you didn’t know, VEGGIE BALLS is one of the best selling street food in the Philippines. These crispy, fried, and spongy balls are made with flour, baking powder and veggies like carrots, kalabasa (kabocha squash) and celery. Best eaten hot dipped in either spiced vinegar or “Manong” sweet sauce. It’s the most delicious way to eat your veggies. 😋
Back home, the street food vendors made it with fewer veggies and more flour, but I made sure to pack in tons of veggies.
Make the batter. Combine flour (1 cup), cornstarch (⅓ cup), baking powder (½ tsp), salt (½ tsp), and black pepper (¼ tsp). Whisk until combined.
Add kalabasa (1 cup), carrots (1 cup), celery (½ cup), red onion (⅓ cup), green onion (2 Tbsp), garlic (3 cloves), and 1 egg (1) and mix.
Add water (⅔ cup) a little at a time and mix until you get a thick consistency.
In a pan suitable for frying, preheat vegetable oil to 300 °F-325 °F.
Use teaspoons to scoop the batter, form into the rough shape of a ball and drop into the hot oil.
Fry until slightly golden brown.
Drain on a paper towel and enjoy immediately with spiced vinegar or “Manong” sweet sauce. Enjoy!
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