Welcome to the first installment of our weekly Friday game, WTF IS IT?!?
Each Friday (maybe) we'll put up a photo of some exotic and supposedly edible foodstuff.
First reader to correctly identify the thing will win....
...the smug knowledge that s/he is an insufferable know-it- all.
You're naturally invited to blather on at length about orgins, cooking techniques, amounts safe to imbibe, other non-edible uses, etc.
We were going to start you off with something easy, but then we stumbled across this:
Even the girl who rang us up at the market said she had no idea what to do with it (hey, keep those filthy thoughts to yourselves!)
Here it is in its natural habitat.
Here is where we found it.
Knock yourselves out.
It's called "Bitter Melon" eaten in most parts of South East Asia and Japan, thought by the Japanese to be helpful in counteracting summer heat and humidity (so it means good source for the life in Miami!)
Tastes bitter, you can make it less bitterness by soaking in water for a while, or Frying it makes less bitterness too.
Especially in Okinawa, southern islands in Japan, it's popular vegetable, cook as "Goya Chanpuru".
Cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds by spoon(these parts are very bitter), slice into about half cm.
Stir Bitter Melon, Tofu, Bean Sprouts and add egg at the end. Season with soy sauce and a little bit of fish sauce and sprinkle dry bonito before serve.
Did I win?
Posted at: July 4, 2008 10:09 PM