Winter melon, or ash gourd, is a mild-tasting fruit that has a light, refreshing taste that is reminiscent of cucumber and is often used in Asian cuisine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese winter melon soup has a number of different recipe variations and is a popular dish that is often served in Chinese households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I will give you a step-by-step guide on how to make Chinese winter melon soup alongside providing some other inspiration on how to use this delicious fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before I get into this delicious winter melon recipe, below is a bit of background on the winter melon fruit if you\u2019re unfamiliar with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter melons are native to Asia and are a medicinal and culinary ingredient favored for their filling nature and neutral flavor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The large melons are utilized as serving vessels in traditional Chinese banquets. They are hollowed out and filled with cooked soup as a dish to impress guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll be able to find winter melons at your local Asian supermarket. Winter melons are often sold pre-sliced in local markets due to their large size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While winter melon is low in calories, fat, carbs, and protein it is rich in fiber that is great for your digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter melon is also packed full of antioxidants that are believed to promote your health and help protect your body from disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter melon also contains smaller amounts of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, as well as various other B vitamins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As winter melon is good for your digestive system, it may also promote a healthy body weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could prevent ulcers. Animal research indicates that winter melon extracts may help to prevent stomach ulcers in rats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It may reduce inflammation. Test-tube studies suggest that winter melon extracts may help to reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re pushed for time when making this recipe, preparation is key. To save time, prepare the mushrooms and get them soaking before you begin cooking the winter melon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time that the winter melon is done, you\u2019ll be able to add the shiitake mushrooms to the pan straight away as opposed to waiting for an extra 20 minutes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can\u2019t get hold of winter melon at your local Asian supermarket, you can substitute it for a whole cucumber instead. That being said, keep in mind the flavor will be quite different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you use cucumber, make sure you peel it, remove the seeds from the core, and dice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This recipe tends to take around 50 minutes to prepare and cook, so your guests won\u2019t have to wait too long for this delicious soup! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, as I explained above, you can save valuable time by preparing the shiitake mushrooms as you cook the winter melon. You can also make this soup ahead of time if you\u2019d prefer to entertain your guests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just make sure that you heat it all the way through and serve it hot! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is easy to add and alter the ingredients in this soup without changing the taste too dramatically. If you don\u2019t have ham on hand, you can substitute it for barbecue pork or shrimp<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d prefer to mix up the vegetable combinations for this recipe then you can do this too! It\u2019s a very versatile recipe, so you can also include other vegetables like carrots, bamboo shoots, or squash!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter melon is most often cubed, boiled, and eaten on its own or is prevalently seen in soups, stews, curries, and stir-fries in Indian and Chinese cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, it can also be fried, candied, baked, or simply peeled and added to salads, or eaten raw similarly to how you\u2019d eat a sliced cucumber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter melon is often a popular addition to juices and smoothies. Alongside this, it can be used to make different candies, ketchup, jam, cakes, ice cream, or sweet Indian delicacies.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow else can you eat winter melons?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n