Thanks to being active in various global social communities, I'm learning about all kinds of food like the “winter melon”. This is not a
produce that I am familiar with. Even when I checked to see if maybe
I knew it by a different name, it turns out I did not know the
alternative names either. I don't recall seeing this melon in my
local grocery store but it is probably in the produce section at an
Asian market. Nevertheless, now it's a food that I am curious to
try.
Image credit:
Amazon.com
OK. Let me explain myself. I like
cucumbers and I like melons. But I say a cucumber is a vegetable and
anything called melon has to be a fruit. Right? WRONG!!
The Spruce Eats is my favorite GO TO
site for when I want to learn about anything food-related. They
published content titled “What Is a Winter Melon?” and it tells
you all about it.
The winter melon is a large vine
vegetable; a type of gourd and a distant cousin of the cucumber.
Commonly called ash gourd, wax gourd, white gourd, white pumpkin, and
Chinese watermelon. It is a native to parts of Southern Asia and used
in both Indian and Chinese cuisine.
You can cook it, but don't
over-cook it because it will become mushy. It pairs well with a lot
of different foods: watermelon, mushrooms, scallions, pork, chicken,
duck, and ham, seafood like shrimp and scallops. I love that it can
be cooked in soups and stews because soup is on my unofficial list of
Top 5 comfort foods.
- Some sources say it can not be eaten
RAW.
- Other sources say, add it to salads RAW
just like you would with a cucumber.
???????
Here are some additional food facts and
most of the sources seem to be in agreement.
“Chinese people believe winter melon
is a Yin food that can help our bodies to counter the summer heat and
humidity.” This soup dish is so popular they even serve it at
weddings.
Chinese Winter Melon Soup Recipe ~ TheSpruce Eats
Winter melon can also be used to make
drinks. There are recipes for Winter Melon Tea and Bubble Tea Latte.
Sounds interesting.
18 of the Absolute Best Winter MelonRecipes to Try This Year - Backyard Boss
A few of the health websites sing
praises about the health benefits of the winter melon. It's good for
digestion; promotes heart health; can detox your body; can improve
your vision; and more!
9 Surprising Benefits of Winter Melon |Organic Facts
FINAL LINK SHARE:
Figured there had to be a candy recipe. Petha / Winter Melon soft Candy !!! | Shailja's Kitchen [ Meals & Memories Are Made Here ]
