Loofa Luffa Tomato Soup of the Day,丝瓜番茄汤

I know this is not a very pretty dish but it can make you pretty. Do you know? This plant is characterized by ten ridges that run its length along the entire gourd. Look below and count them if you don't believe me.

This gourd vegetable or plant is Loofah/luffa or Silk Gourd/Ridge Gourd/Angled Gourd also known as 丝瓜 (SiGua in Chinese). Typically used in stir-fries and soups, this gourd has a slightly spongy texture and a mildly sweet flavor. It contains amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, B and C.  The theme for Monthly Mingle is "Soup for the happy soul", and I have prepared soup for the beautiful you.

Angled Gourd with Tomato Soup 丝瓜番茄汤   
Ingredients: 2 ridge or angled gourd(luffa/loofah), peeled and cut the flesh to bite size; 1 tomato, cubed to bite size; 2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed; 2 thin slices of ginger; salt and white pepper to taste

Directions: Heat some sesame oil in a pot. When heated, add the garlic, ginger and tomatoes and fry till fragrant and tomatoes softened. Add the luffa/loofah and lightly fry with the tomatoes, garlic and ginger. Add in warm water to make soup and allow soup mixture to simmer at low-medium heat till loofah softens and cooks through.  Pinch of salt and white pepper to taste.



Tag: luffa, loofah, angled gourd, ridge gourd, soup