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There are some Chinese dishes that simply don’t translate well into English, and this Fuzzy Melon with Dried Scallops is definitely one of them.
Fuzzy melon, or hairy melon, or hairy gourd (nobody can really agree on a translation) is a neutral-flavored gourd that looks a bit like a chonky zucchini with a bit of fuzz.
I know I’m not selling it too well, but it’s a staple vegetable in many Cantonese households… especially because they’re super easy to grow in your own garden, and their neutral flavor makes them super versatile and easy to use.
In this particular dish, the fuzzy melon is used as a vehicle for dried seafood, with the melon peeled and sliced into tender rings each housing a juicy scallop in the middle. With a translucent seafoody sauce drizzled over top, this is an elegant and unique dish that is usually saved for special occasions like Chinese New Year.
Intrigued? Keep scrolling for our foolproof Fuzzy Melon with Dried Scallops recipe. We can’t say it’s a no-fuzz dish, but it’s easier than you might think!
Ingredients for Our Fuzzy Melon with Dried Scallops Recipe
For the main dish:
- 2 pieces of fuzzy melon (AKA hairy melon), about 750g
- 10 pieces dried scallop, about 250g
- 1 bowl water, about 300mL (for soaking)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 pinch white pepper
- Cornstarch slurry (1/2 tsp cornstarch, mixed with 1 tbsp water)
For the garnish:
- 300g watercress or spinach
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- A few drops sesame oil
Step by Step Instructions for Our Fuzzy Melon with Dried Scallops Recipe
This impressive-looking dish is surprisingly easy to make for your next special occasion. Here are the step by step instructions!
To prep the scallops, soak them in advance in a bowl of water for about 6h.
To prep the fuzzy melon, peel the skin off, then cut into slices roughly the width of your dried scallops.
With a spoon, scoop out a bit from the center to create a cavity large enough to hold your scallops.
After your scallops have been rehydrated, place them on a plate and steam them for 10 minutes. Be sure to leave the scallop water for later use.
After steaming your scallops, place one inside each hole that you’ve carved into your fuzzy melon.
Put them all on a plate and steam for 30-35 min, until then melon has softened.
While your melon is steaming, it’s time to prep some watercress or spinach to place underneath! To prepare your greens, bring a pot of water to a boil, then add your salt and sugar. Boil for about a minute, until tender.
You can also take this time to heat up the sauce for your dish. Take the scallop water you had set aside before, then add it into a pot with your chicken bouillon powder, white pepper, salt, sugar and cornstarch slurry. Add additional seasonings to taste.
Finally, after your melon has finished steaming, it’s time to plate everything up.
To plate, arrange your greens as a bed for your melon slices, then place your melon/scallop slices on top.
Pour the sauce you had prepared over top, and drizzle with a bit of sesame oil as a final touch.
Finally, serve and enjoy!
Delicious Fuzzy Melon with Dried Scallops
Ingredients
For the main dish:
- 2 pieces of fuzzy melon (AKA hairy melon), about 750g
- 10 pieces dried scallop, about 250g
- 1 bowl water, about 300mL (for soaking)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 pinch white pepper
- Cornstarch slurry (1/2 tsp cornstarch, mixed with 1 tbsp water)
For the garnish:
- 300g watercress or spinach
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- A few drops sesame oil
Instructions
To prep the scallops, soak them in advance in a bowl of water for about 6h.
To prep the fuzzy melon, peel the skin off, then cut into slices roughly the width of your dried scallops.
With a spoon, scoop out a bit from the center to create a cavity large enough to hold your scallops.
After your scallops have been rehydrated, place them on a plate and steam them for 10 minutes. Be sure to leave the scallop water for later use.
After steaming your scallops, place one inside each hole that you've carved into your fuzzy melon.
Put them all on a plate and steam for 30-35 min, until then melon has softened.
While your melon is steaming, it's time to prep some watercress or spinach to place underneath! To prepare your greens, bring a pot of water to a boil, then add your salt and sugar. Boil for about a minute, until tender.
You can also take this time to heat up the sauce for your dish. Take the scallop water you had set aside before, then add it into a pot with your chicken bouillon powder, white pepper, salt, sugar and cornstarch slurry. Add additional seasonings to taste.
Finally, after your melon has finished steaming, it's time to plate everything up. To plate, arrange your greens as a bed for your melon slices, then place your melon/scallop slices on top.
Pour the sauce you had prepared over top, and drizzle with a bit of sesame oil as a final touch.
Finally, serve and enjoy!
We Hope You Enjoy Our Fuzzy Melon with Dried Scallops Recipe!
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, or be sure to let us know if you’ve tested the recipe out. We’re always looking to improve our recipes and make sure they taste great for everyone.