I bought this from the farmers market where it was labeled calabasas. I thought it was some kind of zucchini, but I was told it was a kind of cucumber. A cucumber with peach fuzz on the outside.
Here it is with the skin off and sliced:
Maybe it is mo qua, otherwise known as fuzzy melon or hairy gourd?
I served it raw, sprinkled with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground chipotle and ancho chili pepper. It was very good, like cucumber.
Here is a recipe for cooking it from Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery (who has a cookbook coming out).
Tags: dong gua, dongwa, farmers market, fuzzy melon, mo qua, Vegetables
July 28, 2010 at 12:52 pm |
Calabasa means gourd in Spanish. It has hair, you say? Just when I think I’ve seen everything . . . .
July 28, 2010 at 1:08 pm |
Thanks, Madam Chow!
July 28, 2010 at 1:39 pm |
I love mystery fruits and vegetables! That definitely looks like an interesting one. I was also intrigued by the hair.
July 29, 2010 at 4:31 am |
I lov going to the framer’s market or gourmet emporium and seeing cool looking fruits and veggies that are a complete conundrum to me. I think you just topped out with a hairy cucumber aka melon, which is super cool. Does it taste exactly like cucumber, or a little sweeter I imagine?
July 29, 2010 at 8:27 am |
You guessed right–it does taste just a little bit sweeter!