#a brief introdction
Sweet, cool in nature. Melon flesh has the functions of clearing heat and resolving phlegm, cooling blood and detoxifying; melon collaterals have the functions of clearing heat and resolving phlegm, diuresis and swelling. The most commonly eaten loofah in Hong Kong is the angular loofah.
Variety
The shape of the loofah fruit is cylindrical, the skin is green, striped, and the pulp is thicker. The fruit dries out gradually after ripening, and the part around the seed is still supported by fibers and forms a cavity. Generally from July to September, when the fiber is not yet mature, it can be eaten as a vegetable; after the fruit is mature, the loofah becomes a "loofah" due to its high fiber content, which cannot be eaten, but it can be used as a sponge substitute, generally used for For cleaning kitchen utensils such as dishes, or for wiping the body. Loofahs are generally about 20 cm long.
According to the edges and corners of the loofah, it can be divided into Luffa acutangula, commonly known as Sheng melon and Luffa cylindrica, commonly known as water melon.
"Edged loofah", called star anise melon, is mainly eaten as a vegetable. Cylindrical loofah can be used as a vegetable when it is tender and ripe, and when it is mature, the pulp becomes fibrous, which can be used as a vegetable or as a cleaning cloth after drying.
Generally angular loofah (slik gourd) fruit is cylindrical, generally about 40 - 60 cm long. Slightly curved, with 9-11 sharp edges and corners, dark green. This species is only distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian Provinces and is eaten as a vegetable.
As for the cylindrical loofah (water gourd), it is distributed in the provinces north of the Yangtze River. It is only edible when it is very tender, and when it is mature, the melon network is used for medicinal purposes.
supply season
The main production period is from May to October every year.
How to buy
The skin should be bright, the fruit-shaped corners are obvious, and the fruit should be strong and heavy.
#* Taboo
Suitable: Suitable for patients with physical fatigue, poor urination, irregular menstruation, milk obstruction, unknown swelling toxin, edema, fever and polydipsia, cough and phlegm asthma, intestinal wind, blood, hemorrhoid bleeding, acne, sore pustules, and diabetes patients. .
Contraindications: Those with spleen and stomach deficiency, kidney yang deficiency, tuberculosis, gastric cancer patients should not eat. People with diarrhea, illness, chronic gastritis and chronic enteritis should eat less.
#*Food compatibility
should:
1. Loofah and shrimp: The carotenoids in loofah can maintain the normal function of the thyroid gland, and the selenium contained in shrimp can help its own iodine be converted into thyroid hormones, so the combination of the three can avoid and improve goiter. the question.
2. Loofah, coriander, and canola oil: both loofah and coriander contain carotenoids, while canola oil is rich in vitamin E. Cooking together can help prevent aging and reduce the chance of cancer.
avoid:
1. Loofah and bamboo shoots: When the carotenoids of loofah meet the active substances of bamboo shoots, they will be destroyed, thereby reducing their nutritional value.
2. Loofah and Loach: Since Loach contains a vitamin B1-decomposing enzyme, it will destroy the vitamin B1 contained in Loofah and reduce its nutritional value.
cooking tips
The edible part is located in melons and fruits. After a little rinsing, peel off the skin and cook.
#Remarks
In Cantonese, loofah is homophonic with "silk" and "lost", so in the catering industry, "sheng gourd" is usually used as the name of the dish.
The usage of smooth loofah is the same as that of loofah, and it is more grown in the north.
