Last Updated on May 20, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Thai Winter Melon Stir-Fry
This quick stir-fry is made with Winter Melon, aka Ash Gourd or simply as White Pumpkin, available at Asian markets.
With globalization, there are both positive and negative effects that have come into our lives. One of the biggest positive effects is the availability of food products from around the world in our local supermarkets.
I have been amazed in recent years even in small towns or cities I have visited, the diversity of cuisine and food ingredients I see.
You don’t have to live in a big city like I do, in order to experiment with world flavors. You might have to step a little bit out of your comfort zone by going to a specialty market, instead of your local supermarket. However, if you have the desire to do so, cooking from around the world is at your fingertips.
Don’t get worried that you won’t be able to try this delicious recipe if even with globalization, you can’t find Winter Melon. There are other vegetables with similar flavors and textures you can use that make great substitutes.
Winter Melon Substitutes
- Chayote
- Green Papaya
All About Winter Melon
Winter Melon is a variety of pumpkin with green to white skin and white flesh. It’s about the size of a watermelon, so usually sold in the markets in large slices. Also known as ash gourd or winter melon, it is utilized a lot in Asian cuisines, including Indian. It’s also sometimes called fuzzy melon because the skin is fuzzy when it is less ripe.
White Pumpkin has a very clean and refreshing taste, similar to cucumber or chayote squash.
Winter Melon is a good source of iron, potassium, calcium, Vitamin C and B Complex as well as some protein and fiber.
In Asian cuisines, it is mostly used in either stir fries, since it cooks so quickly or soups.
In South Asian countries like India, it is widely used in everything from curries and rasam to desserts like kheer or halvah.
So the next time you are in an Asian or Indian supermarket, pick up some winter melon and try a new recipe this week like Thai Winter Melon Stir-Fry.
Thai Winter Melon Stir-Fry
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 thinly sliced onion
- 3 finely chopped garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
- 3 finely chopped bird’s eye chiles
- 1/3 cup dried shrimp
- 1 cored and chopped starfruit/carambola
- 5 cups chopped white pumpkin
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons coarsely chopped peanuts optional
- Chopped scallions garnish
Instructions
- Place dried shrimp in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for at least 10 minutes, while they soften.
- Drain and reserve liquid.
- In a wok or deep skillet, heat oil.
- Add onion and cook on low heat until the onions are halfway caramelized, about 10 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, chiles, shrimp and starfish.
- Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Add pumpkin, fish sauce and soy sauce. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved shrimp liquid. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on medium low heat until vegetable is cooked, about 8-10 minutes.
- To serve, garnish with chopped peanuts and scallions.
Notes
With so many people trying to eat less meat, this is such a quick and easy recipe for dinner. It only has a bit of dried shrimp and still makes a delicious one pot meal. All you need is some steamed rice to serve it over!
All pumpkin fanatics RAISE YOUR HAND!!! Do you love pumpkin and all it’s varieties as much as I do!
Then check out some of my other Pumpkin Recipes!
Pumpkin Recipes
- Picarones – Peruvian Pumpkin Sweet Potato Doughnuts
- Thai Stewed Pumpkin Dessert (vegan)
- Malaysian Pumpkin Curry
- Pumpkin Rice Pudding
- Soup Jou Mou (Haitian Pumpkin Soup)
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Vegan Pumpkin Millet Waffles
- Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Jam
- Pumpkin Pork Chops
- Pumpkin & Shrimp Laksa
- Nhopi – Zimbabwe Pumpkin Polenta
- Pumpkin Sauce (savory)
I’d love to see how you recreated this delicious recipe! Tag me on Instagram with your pics!
Thai Winter Melon Stir-Fry
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 thinly sliced onion
- 3 finely chopped garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
- 3 finely chopped bird’s eye chiles
- 1/3 cup dried shrimp
- 1 cored and chopped starfruit/carambola
- 5 cups chopped white pumpkin
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons coarsely chopped peanuts optional
- Chopped scallions garnish
Instructions
- Place dried shrimp in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for at least 10 minutes, while they soften.
- Drain and reserve liquid.
- In a wok or deep skillet, heat oil.
- Add onion and cook on low heat until the onions are halfway caramelized, about 10 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, chiles, shrimp and starfish.
- Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Add pumpkin, fish sauce and soy sauce. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved shrimp liquid. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on medium low heat until vegetable is cooked, about 8-10 minutes.
- To serve, garnish with chopped peanuts and scallions.
Notes
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I love all types of squash, pumpkin and melon. This recipe is delicious with such a fusion of flavours . I am definitely going to recreate it but a veggie version.
Fermented tofu would give you a similar flavor profile
I’ve never heard of winter melon. This sounds delicious!
it’s quite common in Asian cuisine. Look out for it if you have any Asian markets in your city.
I never would have thought to use it like this. It sounds delicious.
You should definitely try making it this way – so quick and easy
I’ve had winter melon a long time ago but I never thought to make it on my own. I can’t wait to make this, stopping by the Asian Market this weekend to pick some up!
I’m glad I’ve inspired you to make it yourself
I’m curious to try starfruit & white pumpkin! this looks delicious
The starfruit adds a little citrus element to it
I’ve never seen or tasted a winter melon so thanks for the info on what it is and how it tastes. I’ll have to take a look for one around here and give this recipe a try!
you definitely should. it’s a quick and easy recipe and plus added bonus when we discover a new veggie right!
I love all kinds of pumpkins, melons and squash. Winter melon stir fry with Thai flavors sounds good. However, must admit can’t stand the smell of fish sauce so would probably not add it. Simple and yet a flavorful stir fry.
Its not great to smell, but I think it adds awesome flavor when added to food
I couldn’t agree more about how globalisation and immigration has meant that we are now able to get such a great variety of produce. I live in Aus and I can pretty much get most of the Asian produce and ingredients that I need to make some traditional dishes. And I LOVE winter melon. Especially in soups.
Here in NYC I have the world at my fingertips
Mir we use the ash gourd often in sambhar, kadhi even sweets. My grandmother made papadums kind of fish which she sundried and stored to deep fry. I was not aware of making a vegetable. Thanks will try.
I’m a little confused about the papadums in relation to the ash gourd???
Never had winter melon sounds delicious
You should definitely look into trying it!