Winter melon cooking methods, benefits and nutrients contained in winter melon

The name of winter melon was given by Shennong. There are many types of winter melon, some large and some small, and the taste is slightly different.

Winter melon

Also known as pillow melon, it is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Wax Gourd in the Cucurbitaceae family. The wax gourd is round, oblate or oblong, and its size varies depending on the species, with the small weighing several thousand kilograms and the large weighing dozens of kilograms; the skin is green, and the surface of the mature fruit of most varieties has white powder; the flesh is thick, white, soft and juicy, with a light taste, and both young and old melons can be eaten.

Winter melon is native to southern my country and India. It is cultivated in various parts of my country, and its main supply season is summer and autumn. Why is the melon produced in summer and autumn called winter melon? This is because when the melon is ripe, there is a layer of white powder on the surface, just like the white frost in winter. For this reason, winter melon is also called white melon.

According to legend, Shennong cultivated the "four melons", namely Donggua, pumpkin, watermelon and Beigua, and ordered them to settle down in their respective places and benefit the people. Donggua was assigned to the east, but Donggua refused to obey the assignment, saying that the sea breeze in the east was strong and he was not used to the life there. Shennong had to let it move to another place, but it complained that there was too much sand in the west, the north was cold, and the south was hot. After a lot of trouble, it still went to the east. Shennong saw that Donggua had changed his mind, so he said happily: "Donggua, Donggua, the east is my home." Donggua immediately replied: "It's winter melon, not Donggua, everywhere is my home." Shennong said: "There are no melons in winter, you like to call it winter melon. If you are willing to call the world your home, call it winter melon." Hence the name.

effect

1. Winter melon is cold in nature and sweet in taste. It can clear away heat and promote salivation, relieve summer heat and eliminate restlessness, and has the effect of relieving summer heat and clearing away heat.

2. Winter melon contains more vitamin C, high potassium salt content and low sodium salt content. Patients with hypertension, kidney disease, edema, etc. can eat it to reduce swelling without hurting their health.

3. The succinic acid contained in winter melon can effectively inhibit the conversion of carbohydrates into fat. In addition, winter melon itself does not contain fat and is not high in calories, so eating more winter melon can help lose weight.

Storage instructions

If the skin of the whole wax gourd is intact, it can be placed in a cool and ventilated place with straw or wood under it, and it can be stored for 4 to 5 months. If the cut wax gourd is placed in a dark, dry and ventilated place, it can be stored for 3 to 5 days without getting moldy.

Cooking knowledge

Winter melon is an ideal daily food for relieving fever and promoting diuresis. The effect will be more obvious if you cook it into soup with the skin.

Dietary precautions

1. Suitable for people with kidney disease, edema, ascites due to liver cirrhosis, cancer, beriberi, hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, obesity, and those who lack vitamin C.

2. Winter melon is cold in nature. People with weak spleen and stomach, cold kidneys, long-term diarrhea, and yang deficiency and cold limbs should avoid eating it.

Delicious food

Winter melon and pork ribs soup

Ingredients: 200 grams of winter melon, 100 grams of pork ribs, appropriate amounts of sesame oil, onion, ginger, pepper, salt and MSG.

Winter melon method:

1. Peel the winter melon, wash and cut into pieces.

2. Wash the pork ribs and chop them into pieces.

3. Wash and cut the green onions into sections. Wash and slice the ginger. Grind the peppercorns into fine pieces.

4. Put the pork ribs into the pot, add appropriate amount of water and boil it, then remove the foam, add winter melon, onion, ginger, pepper and other seasonings.

5. When the ribs and winter melon are cooked, add salt and MSG, bring to a boil and drizzle with sesame oil.

Efficacy: This soup is light and pleasant. It has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying, removing dampness and stagnation, lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, and promoting urination. It is suitable for food stagnation, loose stools, short and yellow urine, dizziness, etc. caused by excessive dampness and heat.

Note: This dish has a strong laxative effect, so it is not suitable for people with weak constitutions to take it regularly. Pregnant women should use it with caution.

Winter melon cures disease

Treatment of chronic nephritis: 1000 grams of winter melon and 1 carp (about 300 grams in weight), cook into soup without adding salt.

Treatment of edema: 100g wax gourd peel, 30g corn silk, 30g Imperata root, decoct in water, take 3 times a day. Or 1000g wax gourd, 100g red bean, stew in water and drink, take 2 times a day.

Treatment of lung heat cough: 500 grams of fresh winter melon, 1 fresh lotus leaf. Add appropriate amount of water to stew soup, add salt to taste, drink soup and eat winter melon, 2 times a day.