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Fuzzy Melons for Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to fuzzy melon squash
Formerly only seen in Chinese or Asian markets, the fuzzy melon squash is now available in many supermarkets nationwide. Like zucchini in appearance, the fuzzy melon squash is a delicious, nutritious addition to many dishes. Our buying guide will help you choose a ripe, tasty fuzzy melon squash every time. Don't have time to run to the store? Instacart makes it easy to get your squash delivered straight to your home with our easy-to-use app. Add fuzzy melon squash to your cart, and our shoppers will deliver it to your home, often in as little as 2 hours!
About fuzzy melon squash
Fuzzy melon squash is also known as mao gua, mo gua, hairy melon, fuzzy gourd, hairy cucumber, ho bak, and bi dao. This vegetable is common in Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking. Although most fuzzy melon squashes look like zucchini, they can also be eggplant or even dumbbell-shaped. Most are six to ten inches long, with a diameter around three to four inches. The outer skin is thin, green, and sometimes spotted. Tiny white hairs cover the skin, giving it a fuzzy appearance. The inner flesh is white and mild, with medium-sized, edible seeds. Â
Most fuzzy melon squashes are harvested when they are very young. If left on the vine, the white outer fuzz goes away, and the vegetable becomes known as winter melon. The majority of fuzzy melon squash grown in America comes from California. They are harvested from May through October.
Fuzzy melon squash tastes like a slightly sweet zucchini. The mild-flavored flesh takes on the flavors of spices and sauces used for cooking.
How to pick out fuzzy melon squash
Young fuzzy melon squash is very mild in flavor and perfect in cooked dishes. Look for small squash that feels heavy for its size. The squash should be firm, with deep green, mottled skin. The skin should be free of dark spots, wrinkles, or cuts.
How to prepare fuzzy melon squash
Although mild in flavor, fuzzy melon squash usually is not eaten raw. To prepare the squash for cooking, you must remove the fuzzy outer layer. Avoid using a vegetable peeler to remove the tiny hairs, as it will damage the squash's thin skin. Instead, scrape the back of a paring knife down the squash to remove the hairs. You can also scrub the fuzzy melon squash under running water to remove the hairs.Â
The skin is edible, although many recipes call for peeling. Remove the skin on larger or older fuzzy melon squash, as it tends to be thick and bitter. The seeds do not have to be removed unless you are stuffing the squash. Remove seeds by scraping the flesh with a spoon. Cut the squash into slices or chunks for cooking.
Fuzzy melon squash takes on the flavors of any dish you add them to, making them extremely versatile in the kitchen. You can use the squash in any recipe that calls for zucchini or yellow squash. Here are a few common uses for fuzzy melon squash:
- Cubed or sliced squash is an easy addition to a stir fry.
- Add fuzzy melon squash to bulk up and add nutrition to soups and stews.Â
- Scoop out the seeds and stuff the squash with pork or other meats.Â
- Sliced fuzzy melon squash can be pickled similar to cucumbers.Â
- Seed and shred your fuzzy melon squash to make a spiced quick bread (similar to zucchini or banana bread).Â
- Sweeten squash strips and dry them in a dehydrator or oven (similar to fruit leather).Â
- Use cubed or sliced fuzzy melon squash to make jam.
- Combine seeded and cubed fuzzy melon squash with sugar syrup, cardamom, and saffron to create petha candy.
Fuzzy Melon Squash Near Me
Buy your favorite Fuzzy Melon Squash online with Instacart. Order Fuzzy Melon Squash from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about fuzzy melon squash
Wrap your fuzzy melon squash in a plastic bag and store it in the crisper bin of your refrigerator. Properly stored, a fuzzy melon squash will stay fresh for a week to ten days. For optimal flavor, use your fuzzy melon squash within a few days of purchase, as the flesh becomes more bitter over time.
Spoiled fuzzy melon squash will feel soft or mushy. Don't eat squash that has dark or moldy spots. Throw out any squash that feels slimy or is leaking liquid. You may also notice an unpleasant smell in a spoiled squash.
Fuzzy melon squash is an easy way to add nutrition to cooked dishes. Each serving of squash is a good source of fiber, potassium, zinc, and vitamin B2. Fuzzy melon squash is also high in vitamin C, has no fat, and is very low in calories.