Have you ever had Luffa before? It’s a gourd, also known as silk melon or si gua in Mandarin. Delicious and nutritious – we love to stir fry this veggie with dried shrimp!
What is Luffa Gourd?
Luffa, aka Chinese okra, silk melon, si gua 絲瓜 and many other names, this gourd vegetable is harvested at an early stage of development as food. Once it is actually fully mature, it is too fibrous to eat – and actually is what is the source of the loofah scrubbing sponge!
This vegetable is popular in many Asian countries including India, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Not only is it a tasty vegetable, it also contains dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin C and vitamin A. It can be served raw (in salads, or it can be cooked (in stir fries).
By the way – if you love Chinese Veggies like this one, you have to check out my Chinese Vegetables article here!
What does luffa taste like?
The luffa vegetable has white interior that is mild and slightly sweet. When you cook it, it is similar to zucchini or summer squash, but with a software interior.
How to prepare luffa?
First wash luffa by rinsing under water, and then remove the tough skin of the luffa. You can do this by using a peeler to remove dark green peel of the luffa.
There are several ways to cut luffa. The main thing to consider when cutting is you do not want to cut it thin. If luffa is cut too thin it will be too soft and not stay intact very well when you cook it.
You can just cut it in to 1 inch chunks, but we prefer to cut it in a triangular fashion. You can do this by tilting your knife and cutting down at a diagonal line one way, and then in the opposite diagonal line the next. Here’s what it looks like:
How to cook luffa?
We like to cook luffa by stir frying with garlic and dried shrimp. To do so, you will need:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp dried shrimp
- 1 lb. luffa gourd, peeled and cut in to chunks (see how to prepare luffa)
- 1 tbsp of water
- Salt, to taste
Heat wok or cooking pan on high heat. Once it is hot, add oil and let it heat up. Then add dried shrimp and garlic for about 30 second.
Add luffa pieces and water in to the pan, and stir fry until it softens – usually only takes a minute or two. Add salt to taste.
Remove from heat and serve!
Stir Fry Luffa (Si Gua, Silk Melon)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp dried shrimp
- 1 lb. luffa gourd, peeled and cut in to chunks (see how to prepare luffa)
- 1 tbsp of water
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat wok or cooking pan on high heat. Once it is hot, add oil and let it heat up. Then add dried shrimp and garlic for about 30 second.
- Add luffa pieces and water in to the pan, and stir fry until it softens - usually only takes a minute or two. Add salt to taste.
Remove from heat and serve!
Notes
How to prepare luffa
First wash luffa by rinsing under water, and then remove the tough skin of the luffa. You can do this by using a peeler to remove dark green peel of the luffa.
There are several ways to cut luffa. The main thing to consider when cutting is you do not want to cut it thin. If luffa is cut too thin it will be too soft and not stay intact very well when you cook it.
You can just cut it in to 1 inch chunks, but we prefer to cut it in a triangular fashion. You can do this by tilting your knife and cutting down at a diagonal line one way, and then in the opposite diagonal line the next.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 131Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 194mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
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