Vegetables Recipes - Fuzzy Gourd Soup Recipe

Ingredients 

• 2 teaspoons peanut oil

• 2 shallots, thinly sliced

• 1 lb fuzzy gourd, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces

• 8 small shiitake mushrooms, diced

• 1/2 cup ground pork (optional)

• 3 cups Chinese stock or homemade chicken stock

• 1/2 teaspoon shoyu

• 1/2 teaspoon sancho (Japanese pepper)

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Heat the oil with the shallots over moderate heat and fry for 30 seconds, until the shallots are soft but not colored.

2. Add the fuzzy gourd, mushrooms, and pork (if using). Stir quickly, then pour in the stock and add the shoyu, sancho, and salt.

3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until the fruit is tender.

Note: If you can't find any fuzzy gourds, use four peeled zucchini or a marrow instead. Homemade stock is essential. Replace the Japanese pepper with crushed Szechuan peppercorns, or even ordinary black peppercorns, if necessary.