FRUITS & VEGGIES MONDAY by @lenasveganliving - Winter Melon.

The Winter Melon also known as the Hairy Melon in Australia but in Asia it has a few names mostly referred to as the Winter Gourd Melon. I have seen winter melon in Thailand but normally long and thick like a cucumber but not round like a watermelon is what i thought when i spotted this one in the Australia fruit market during my visit back to Australia.

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This one is the Winter Melon that i saw in the Australia fruit market which i haven't seen before.

This one is the Hairy Melon more common in Thailand but also was in the Australia fruit market and apparently also grown in Australia.

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We look at it and say well what is this winter melon good for well many things apparently and i have eaten it in many stir fried dishes , soups and vegetable curries in Thailand without even knowing i was it can have a bitterness or sweet taste depending what it is mixed with and is rich in vitamins like vitamin C and B and also this vegetable is a good source of minerals like magnesium potassium, zinc, calcium and iron and provides good amount of protein.

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They say winter melon is typically flavorless but used in soups , stir fries and vegetable curries the melon itself acts like a sponge and will absorb the flavors of the dish, thus enhances any taste or flavor imparted to it which will give it all those unique flavors.

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In Thailand and other Asian countries they also make Winter Melon Punch also called Winter Melon Tea sweetened with various fruits like coconut or crushed almonds which gives it a very distinctive taste perfect for them hot days.

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So here is a Stir Fried Recipe by Chef Martin Yan if you ever want to try this Winter Melon Vegetable.

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Stir-Fried Winter Melon
By Chef Martin Yan

Ingredients

1 lbs. Winter Melon
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ginger root - minced
1 small organic carrot - cut into 1/2 cubes
1/4 cup Vegetable Broth
1 can Straw Mushrooms (15 oz.) drained
1/4 lbs. Mushrooms cut into quarters
1 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
2 organic green onions including tops, cut into 1/2 pieces
2 teaspoons cornstarch - mixed with 4 tsp. water

Directions

Remove skin and seeds from Winter Melon. Cut flesh into 1/2 cubes. Place a wok or wide frying pan over high heat until hot.

Add vegetable oil, swirling to coat sides. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 5 seconds.

Add Winter Melon and carrot and cook for 30 seconds. Add broth. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.

Add straw mushrooms and fresh mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes or until carrot is crisp-tender.

Add soy sauces, sesame oil, and green onions, and cook for 30 seconds.

Add cornstarch solution and cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens.

Chef Yan's Note:

I used both regular and dark soy sauce for the balance of flavors.

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