In traditional folklore and health wisdom, “midsummer” is the hottest and most humid period of the summer, and its importance goes without saying. As the ancient saying goes, “If you don’t nourish yourself during midsummer, you will suffer in autumn and winter.” Therefore, during midsummer, reasonable dietary adjustments are particularly important, and “eating melons” as a method for summer heat relief and health maintenance naturally becomes an indispensable part. Next, let’s share with you four types of melons that can be eaten after midsummer.
Wax Gourd
Wax gourd, known as the “summer holy product” for its large size, mild taste, and rich nutritional value, is abundant in water, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and various minerals. It helps regulate the body’s electrolyte balance, thus playing a role in clearing heat and relieving summer heat.
Culinary method: Wax Gourd and Coix Seed Pork Rib Soup
Soak the coix seeds in advance for 2 hours for easier cooking.
Clean the pork ribs, blanch them in water to remove blood foam, and set aside.
Peel and remove the seeds from the wax gourd, then cut into large pieces.
Put the pork ribs, coix seeds, and ginger slices into a casserole, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for about 1 hour.
Add the wax gourd pieces, continue cooking until the wax gourd is tender.
Season with salt, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve. This light and refreshing soup can quench thirst, strengthen the spleen, and is an ideal choice for midsummer.
Bitter Gourd
Despite its bitter taste, bitter gourd is a treasure trove of health benefits with functions such as heat-clearing and detoxification. Bitter gourd contains bitterness compounds and bitterness factors that can stimulate appetite. Additionally, it is rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and various trace elements, which have a positive effect on promoting intestinal peristalsis. Consuming bitter gourd in summer not only relieves irritability but also effectively prevents heatstroke.
Culinary method: Stuffed Bitter Gourd with Ground Pork
Rinse the bitter gourd, cut it into sections, and hollow it out. Ensure the bitter gourd sections remain intact for stuffing with ground pork later.
Add chopped scallions, ginger, soy sauce, cooking wine, salt, pepper, and a small amount of starch to the ground pork. Stir in a clockwise direction until well combined.
Fill the prepared meat mixture into the bitter gourd sections, smoothing the surface.
Bring water to a boil in a steamer, place the stuffed bitter gourd inside, and steam over high heat for 15 minutes.
After steaming, remove from heat, pour the sauce from the plate into a pot, add a little water and starch to thicken, then drizzle over the stuffed bitter gourd. This dish retains the fresh bitterness of the bitter gourd, blends with the meat fragrance, and offers a rich taste, making it a delightful dish on the summer dining table.
Cucumber
Cucumber is crisp and refreshing with abundant water content, making it a top choice for cooling down and quenching thirst in summer. Cucumbers are rich in various trace elements and have effects such as heat-clearing, detoxification, and moistening the dryness.
Culinary method: Cold Cucumber Salad
Wash the cucumber, loosen it with a mallet, then cut it into sections or chunks and place in a large bowl.
Add minced garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and salt according to personal taste, mix well.
Finally, drizzle a little sesame oil on top for aroma, mix well, and serve. This simple and refreshing cold cucumber salad is tangy and appetizing, perfect for a summer appetizer.
Through the detailed introduction of the above three types of melons and their culinary methods, we can see their unique nutritional values, effects, and how to use them in daily diet. Eating these melons appropriately during midsummer can help clear heat, detoxify, enhance physical fitness, smoothly navigate the hot midsummer days, and lay a healthy foundation for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons. Therefore, why not incorporate more wax gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, and pumpkin into our daily diet and make them part of our healthy lifestyle.
