The Recipe: Ash Gourd Juice

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Ash Gourd, often known as winter melon, wax gourd, white pumpkin, or Chinese watermelon, is a fruit from the gourd family, which includes pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons.

Appearance:

  1. Shape: Typically round to oblong in shape.
  2. Surface: Mature ash gourds are distinguished by a fuzzy, ash-colored, powdery wax on their outer surface, leading to the name “wax gourd.”
  3. Color: The skin is usually pale green to ash-colored.
  4. Flesh: Inside, the fruit has a crunchy, almost translucent or white flesh. It contains seeds in the center, similar to other gourds, which are generally discarded.

Purchasing Tips:

  • Opt for ash gourds that feel dense or heavy for their size.
  • Ensure they are free from soft spots or visible blemishes.
  • Look for a dull (rather than shiny) appearance on the gourd, as this indicates maturity.

Flavour Options:

Ingredients:

  • 0.55 pounds (about half a pound) of ash gourd
  • Water (as needed for blending)

Optional Additions:

  1. Basic Flavor:
    • Salt (to taste)
    • Black pepper (to taste)
    • Lemon juice (to taste)
  2. Minty Fresh:
    • A handful of fresh mint leaves
    • 1-2 teaspoons of honey or any natural sweetener
    • A pinch of salt
    • 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice
  3. Spiced Delight:
    • A pinch of roasted cumin powder
    • A pinch of black salt (or regular salt)
    • Black pepper (to taste)
    • 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Wash the ash gourd thoroughly. Peel it, remove the seeds, and chop it into small pieces.

  2. Place the ash gourd pieces in a blender. Add a little water to help with blending.

  3. Blend until smooth.

  4. Strain the mixture to extract the clear juice.

  5. Depending on your flavor preference, choose one of the optional additions:

    • For Basic Flavor: Add salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to the juice. Stir well.

    • For Minty Fresh: Add the mint leaves to the blender when blending the ash gourd. Once you have the juice ready, add honey or sweetener, salt, and lemon juice. Stir well.

    • For Spiced Delight: Add roasted cumin powder, black salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to the juice. Stir well.

  6. Serve chilled and enjoy immediately!