Winter melon, melon shaped like a pillow, also called pillow melon, is produced in summer. Why is a melon produced in summer named winter melon? This is because when the melon ripens, its surface is covered with a white, powdery substance, which looks like the white frost formed in winter. For this reason, winter melon is also called white melon.
Medicinal Value of Winter Melon Peel
Winter melon originated in China and India and is widely distributed in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of Asia. It was cultivated in China from a very early time.
Even today, winter melon cultivation is mainly concentrated in China, Southeast Asia, and India. Historical herbal texts also record that it can treat swelling, eliminate heat toxins, and promote urination. Modern pharmacological research shows that winter melon is rich in carbohydrates, protein, and vitamin C. Additionally, winter melon contains protein and a large amount of vitamins and minerals, which play a significant role in skin care and whitening. The malonic acid contained in winter melon can effectively inhibit the conversion of carbohydrates into fat. Coupled with the fact that winter melon itself is fat-free and low in calories, it is important for preventing weight gain and can help maintain a beautiful figure. There is a common saying: "When winter melon enters the house, one need not enter the pharmacy." Therefore, in the hot summer weather, when you go out and get sunburned, your body is prone to developing heat toxins. Many people also love to drink cold things to cool down after sweating, and excessive consumption can unintentionally lead to water-dampness retention and weaken the spleen and stomach. At this time, winter melon peel can be used as a remedy. Besides clearing summer heat and relieving fever, it can also promote urination and drain dampness.
How to Use Winter Melon Peel
1. Winter Melon Peel Water
Winter melon peel 50g. Method: Boil the winter melon peel to make 3 large bowls of soup. Drink it in 3 divided servings throughout the day. Effect: Clears heat and dispels summer heat, promotes urination.
2. Shrimp and Winter Melon Peel Soup
Winter melon peel 50g, dried small shrimp 10g, starch and scallion as needed. Seasonings: Sesame oil, salt, and Sichuan peppercorn as needed. Method: Use sesame oil to fry the Sichuan peppercorn until fragrant, then add the scallion, winter melon, and dried small shrimp and stir-fry until cooked. Add starch to thicken into a soup, and finally season with salt to serve. Effect: Clears heat and relieves summer heat, resolves turbidity and stimulates appetite.
3. Three-Peel Fresh Salad
Watermelon peel, cucumber peel, and winter melon peel, 200g each. Scrape off the waxy outer skin of the watermelon peel, and remove the hairy outer skin of the winter melon peel. Blanch them together with the cucumber peel in boiling water. After cooling, cut them into strips, add a little salt, and serve on a plate. Effect: Clears heat and promotes urination, reduces dampness, aids in weight loss.
4. Winter Melon and Mushroom Dish
Winter melon peel 100g, mushrooms 50g, and seasonings as needed. Peel and wash the winter melon, cut it into small cubes. Soak the mushrooms in water to rehydrate, remove the stems, wash, and shred them. Wash and shred the scallion and ginger. Heat an appropriate amount of vegetable oil in a wok, add the scallion and ginger until fragrant, then add the winter melon, mushrooms, and the water used to soak the mushrooms. Cover and simmer for several minutes. When cooked, season with salt, MSG, etc., and stir-fry a few times. Effect: Reduces qi and phlegm, promotes urination and drains dampness, lowers lipids and aids in weight loss.
5. Winter Melon and Taizhen Soup
Winter melon 400g, cured meat or ham 100g, Taizhen root 30g, honeysuckle 10g, MSG, and chopped scallion as needed. Slice the cured meat or ham. Wash and thinly slice the winter melon. Place the Taizhen root and honeysuckle together in water and simmer until the Taizhen root is soft. Remove and discard the honeysuckle, and set aside the clarified medicinal liquid. Cook the cured meat or ham and winter melon in water until tender. Add the Taizhen root, MSG, and chopped scallion, and pour in a small amount of the clarified medicinal liquid. Bring to a boil. This soup has the combined benefits of health preservation, beauty enhancement, slimming, clearing summer heat, and replenishing qi. It is most suitable for consumption during the hot summer.
Winter Melon Soup