Basic Chinese Chicken Soup Stock (Soup Base)

Ingredient Name:  Fuzzy melon, hairy melon, fuzzy squash

Traditional Chinese Name: 节瓜 (jié guā) or 毛瓜(máo guā)

What is this?

• A variety of winter melon that is more lean, long and is distinguished by it’s hairy exterior
• Pulp is beige/white in color with seeds that run parallel to its body
• Used in soups, dishes and stews (more commonly than its cousin, the winter melon)
• It is an extremely common and staple vegetable in Cantonese cuisine

How do I prepare it?

• Rinse in warm water first
• Peel skin
• Cut into large cubes (for soups)

Where can I buy this?

This is available in most Asian supermarkets
It is also available in most (if not all) Hong Kong wet marts

What is the cost

• 1 medium-sized hairy melon costs around $6 HKD

Any benefits?

• Helps detoxify the body
• Excellent for neutral soups for children

Any precautions?

• This type of melon tends to go sour when cooked and left too long from consumption (ie: boil soup and leave overnight)
• Best when consumed immediately after cooking