What is Fuzzy Melon?Fuzzy melon is one of the names - the most common vernacular name - for an Asian vegetable that resembles a large, hairy zucchini. Although the fuzzy melon resembles zucchini or, in shape but not color, yellow squash outwardly (and inwardly with its yellowish-white pulp), it is not a squash but a gourd, and is related to winter melon.
Also Known As
Fuzzy melon is also known as fuzzy squash, hairy gourd, hairy squash, hairy melon ... and probably a few other variations on that theme. Those are all vernacular names; more formal names for the fuzzy melon include "mo qua" and "mo gwa" (sometimes spelled "mogwa").
How Do I Use Fuzzy Melon?
Fuzzy melon has a thick skin, and that skin is covered in small, white hairs (hence the names). The skin is edible, but must be thoroughly scoured to remove the hairs. Most people prefer to peel the skin away.
Fuzzy melon can be eaten raw, and the seeds are OK to eat, too. When cooking, the seeds are usually removed and then the fuzzy melon sliced or cubed for stir frying or for use in soups. Fuzzy melon is great steamed, too, and shredded applications are another method of preperation.
Like zucchini, fuzzy melon (or mo qua) is very delicate in flavor on its own, but picks up the flavors of whatever it is cooked with. Braising and boiling are other methods of preparation.
Fuzzy Melon Recipes
Spicy sauteed fuzzy melon
Fuzzy melon soup
Fuzzy melon with tofu
Sauteed shredded fuzzy melon
Fuzzy melon with black mushrooms
Fuzzy melon bread
How Do I Choose/Store Fuzzy Melon?
Look for fuzzy melons whose skins are wrinkle-free and evenly textured. If not using immediately, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 10 days.
Where Can I Find Fuzzy Melons?
Your best bet is an Asian grocer with a good produce section, but we've recently started seeing fuzzy melon turn up in our chain grocery store, too. Still relatively unknown to most shoppers outside Asia, the fuzzy melon is just as likely to be called "mo qua" at the shopping market.
