08/04/2026
Today would have been my beloved grandmother, Lola Dominga’s, 105th birthday. She was like a mother to me, and I miss her every single day.
In honor of her birthday, I wanted to share a recipe from my cookbook, In The Kusina on page 90, that holds a very special place in my heart: Lola’s Vegetable Lumpia.
Consider this recipe my love letter to her. While helping raise my brothers and me, Lola would make these crispy vegetable egg rolls, and to this day, they remind me of her warmth and care. I used to watch her roll them, one by one, like little edible presents.
Lumpia is essentially a Filipino fried spring roll. The crackly, crunchy wrapper acts like wrapping paper for a hearty filling of carrots, celery, and chickpeas—which add a delicious, meaty texture—cooked alongside my holy trinity: garlic, onions, and ginger. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser and the most delightful pocket of flavor.
Making these carries on my Lola’s legacy. So much of cooking is about nurturing the people you love. Every time I make this, I’m taking the comfort and warmth she gave me and passing it on—keeping her love alive.
