Summer is a key season for health preservation, especially during the hot days of the “Three Fu” period. The weather can be scorching, leading to fatigue in the body. As the saying goes, “Eat melons in mid-Fu, and you won’t need medicine.” This means that during the mid-Fu days, consuming seasonal melons not only helps to relieve heat and quench thirst but also regulates the body, achieving a better health effect with less effort. So, which types of melons are suitable for consumption during the Three Fu days? This article will recommend four types of melons that are most suitable for summer consumption and their corresponding delicious recipes.
1. Cucumber
Cucumbers are cool in nature, rich in water, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. They not only clear heat and provide relief from the summer heat but also have diuretic and detoxifying effects, making them an excellent choice for summer refreshing. Cucumbers contain up to 95% water, helping to replenish fluids lost through sweating while also keeping the skin hydrated.
Recommended Recipe: Stir-fried Cucumbers with Perilla Leaves
Ingredients: 2 cucumbers, an appropriate amount of perilla leaves, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, an appropriate amount of salt, and an appropriate amount of cooking oil.
Preparation Steps:
1. Wash the cucumbers, slice them thinly, and set aside; wash the perilla leaves, cut them into pieces, and set aside; crush the garlic and chop it into minced garlic.
2. Heat an appropriate amount of cooking oil in a pan, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add the cucumber slices, stir-frying quickly for 1-2 minutes to maintain their crisp texture. Add the chopped perilla leaves, continue to stir-fry evenly, then pour in the light soy sauce, add an appropriate amount of salt, stir evenly before plating.
2. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is known as “plant insulin,” rich in momordicin and vitamin C, and has the effects of lowering blood sugar, reducing fat, and boosting immunity. Bitter melon is cold in nature and bitter in taste, able to clear heat and detoxify, making it especially suitable for summer consumption. It also promotes digestion, helps detoxify the body, and prevents excessive internal heat.
Recommended Recipe: Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Eggs
Ingredients: 1 bitter melon, 2 eggs, 2 cloves of garlic, an appropriate amount of salt, and an appropriate amount of cooking oil.
Preparation Steps:
1. Cut the bitter melon in half, remove the seeds, slice it thinly, and soak in salt water for 10 minutes to eliminate the bitterness, then rinse and drain; beat the eggs with a pinch of salt.
2. Heat an appropriate amount of cooking oil in a pan, pour in the egg mixture, scramble until set, then remove and set aside. In the same pan, add an appropriate amount of cooking oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the bitter melon slices and stir-fry quickly until they change color, then add the scrambled eggs, continue to stir-fry evenly, adjust the salt to taste, and serve once well mixed.
3. Loofah
Loofah is rich in vitamins B and C and minerals, with effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as relieving cough and moistening the lungs. Loofah is not only fresh and tender but also helps to moisturize the skin and maintain its elasticity and shine. Its cooling properties make it especially suitable for consumption during the hot summer, helping to cool down and relieve heat.
Recommended Recipe: Steamed Loofah with Minced Pork and Vermicelli
Ingredients: 2 loofahs, 50g of minced pork, a small handful of vermicelli, 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, an appropriate amount of salt, minced scallions, ginger, and garlic, and an appropriate amount of cooking oil.
Preparation Steps:
1. Peel the loofah.
