Stir Fry Winter Melon

Stir fry winter melon (炒冬瓜) is a an easy veggie side dish - we like to cook this veggie with dried shrimp and soy sauce. This is how we make it at home.

Jump to:

• What is Winter Melon?
• How to prepare Winter Melon?
• How to Stir Fry Winter Melon (Step by Step)
• Storage and Reheating
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Stir Fry Winter Melon Recipe
• More Delicious Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes
• Pin for later!

What is Winter Melon?

Winter melon 冬瓜 is known by many names - winter gourd, wax gourd, ash gourd, white gourd, and more! It is grown on vines. This veggie is technically a fruit (similar to how tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants are actually fruits!)

When it is young, winter melon has a fuzzy coating - however, once it reaches maturity, the fruit loses all the fuzz and it is replaced by a waxy coating which is why it is also known as wax gourd! It's because of this coating that helps winter melons have a long shelf life (of up to a year!).

Winter melon is native to South and Southeast Asia - today it is widely grown through out Asian countries including Japan, Taiwan, China and more.

This veggie by itself has a very mild and somewhat bland flavor. Its taste is similar to that of cucumber - refreshing and vegetal and slightly grass like.

Winter melon is low in calories, fat, and carbs. It is rich in fiber and antioxidants - making it a healthy veggie to eat!

If you're interested in learning more about Chinese veggies - check out my article on Different Types of Chinese Vegetables! I talk about bok choy, water spinach, gai choy, chinese mustard greens and more!

How to prepare Winter Melon?

If you're buying your winter melon from a local super market, they usually already have it pre cut. This is because a winter melon can be quite big - so people don't normally need a whole giant melon.

If you do buy a whole winter melon, you will need to cut it so that it is smaller, and then wrap up the rest to use later.

There are a couple of different ways it can be cut, one is sliced horizontally in to 'wheels' or the other way is cut in to 'wedges' vertically/lengthwise. Both works for this recipe!

To prepare the winter melon, first remove the seeds and soft tissue around the seeds. Then using a knife, cut off the tough skin about ¼-1/2 an inch. The skin is very tough and not delicious so you don't want to eat that.

Next, cut the winter melon in to 2 inch pieces. You will want to cut the pieces about the same size so they all cook evenly.

How to Stir Fry Winter Melon (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon cooking oil
• ½ tablespoon of dried shrimp
• ½ lb winter melon, rind and seed removed, cut in to 2 inch x ½ inch
• 2 tablespoon of water
• 2 tablespoon of soy sauce (or to taste)
• 1 scallion, chopped (optional)

Heat a cooking pan or wok with cooking oil. When the oil is hot, add dried shrimp and let it cook for about a 30 seconds.

Now add winter melon in to cooking pan.

Add water, mix well, and cover for about a minute.

Remove cover, and add soy sauce.

Stir fry for about 5-10 minutes or until the winter melon is translucent (timing will highly depend how thick they are).

Sprinkle with scallions, mix well, remove from heat and serve!

Storage and Reheating

How to Store Leftovers

Let the sesame asparagus stir fry cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Store for up to 3-4 days.

Keep in mind that the asparagus will lose some of its crisp texture after refrigeration.

How to Reheat

Stovetop (recommended): Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and stir fry until heated through. Avoid overcooking, as asparagus can become mushy.

Microwave: Place the asparagus in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in short intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly heated.

Reheat leftovers to 165°F.

Can You Freeze Sesame Asparagus Stir Fry?

I wouldn't recommend freezing this dish. Cooked asparagus can become soft and watery after thawing, so it's best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this sesame asparagus stir fry without soy sauce?

Yes! The soy sauce is optional. You can leave it out and season the asparagus with salt instead. The garlic, toasted sesame oil, and sesame seeds still add plenty of flavor.

Can I use frozen asparagus?

Fresh asparagus works best because it stays tender-crisp when stir-fried. Frozen asparagus can work, but it tends to release more water and has a softer texture. Cook it straight from frozen, allowing extra time for the moisture to evaporate.

How do I keep asparagus from getting soggy?

Make sure your pan is hot before adding the asparagus, and avoid overcrowding it. Stir fry just until the asparagus turns bright green and tender-crisp. Thicker spears may need a little longer than thin ones.

Can I make this stir fry ahead of time?

Yes! You can wash, trim, and cut the asparagus ahead of time, then refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. For the best texture, I recommend stir-frying it just before serving.

More Delicious Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes

Looking for more easy vegetable side dishes? Here are a few delicious recipes to try, from garlicky greens to savory mushroom stir fries!

• Stir Fry Asparagus with Garlic - Tender-crisp asparagus stir-fried with garlic for a simple Chinese vegetable side dish that's ready in just 15 minutes!
• Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry - Fresh asparagus and tender beech mushrooms stir-fried with savory seasonings and optional bacon. An easy side dish full of flavor!
• King Oyster Mushrooms Stir Fry with Asparagus - Meaty king oyster mushrooms and crisp asparagus stir-fried with garlic. A flavorful vegetable side that's ready in about 15 minutes.
• Stir Fry Vegetables (Easy Chinese Vegetable Stir Fry) - A colorful mix of vegetables stir-fried until tender-crisp for an easy, versatile Chinese side dish.

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