Here’s another way to cook hairy gourd. Today, I am craving for tom yum and my neighbour gave me a packet of dried shrimps. I still have half of the huge hairy gourd from my sister whom gave it to me to eat. I am going to do a simple dish that curbs my craving for tom yum and using the hairy gourd with dried shrimps.

Google: Hairy gourd is “also known as the ‘fuzzy melon’, the hairy gourd is a small immature winter melon. It gets its name from the tiny hairs that cover the entire gourd that protects it from bugs. It’s more commonly referred to as ‘winter melon’ or ‘wax gourd’ when it reaches maturity because the melon loses its hairs and develops a waxy coating instead. The fleshy inside is white and the seeds are edible and offer a nice crunch. It has a naturally mild flavour which makes it the perfect pair with other ingredients like shrimp, chicken and eggs.”

Well, I got my craving for tom yum paired well with hairy gourd and dried shrimps. The taste of spiciness, crunchiness, are sure comforting and delicious. Let’s cook!!!

Ingredients

900 g hairy gourd or about 1 average size
20 g dried shrimps
about 1/2 c of water to soak the dried shrimps
3 Tbs tom yum paste
1 Tbs minced garlic
1 Tbs ginger powder
1 Tbs shao xing wine
1/4 Tsp sugar (OPT)
salt
pepper
oil

Method

Rinse the dried shrimps and soak them in water for about 20-30 minutes or until they are softened. Drain shrimps and reserved water for later. Next, use a slightly wet paper towel wipe a few times the hairy gourd hair: to get rid of it. Then wipe with a damp cloth all around. Rinse hairy gourd, wipe dry and cut into bite size.

Heat 2 Tbs oil in a saucepan or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add garlic minced, ginger powder and dried shrimp; cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add in the hairy gourd pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes s or until they begin to look translucent.

Add in tom yum paste, 1 Tbs oil and shao xing. Combine well before adding in reserved water. Season with salt and sugar. Cook until some of the water has evaporated or until all the ingredients become tender. Turn off the hob and spoon to a deep plate. Serve with rice and a dish of meat. Enjoy!!!!

https://helenscchin.com/2024/02/22/hairy-gourd-with-tom-yum-dried-shrimp

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