4 Ways to Cook Melon de São Caetano

Table of contents:

4 Ways to Cook Melon de São Caetano
4 Ways to Cook Melon de São Caetano

Video: 4 Ways to Cook Melon de São Caetano

Video: 4 Ways to Cook Melon de São Caetano
Video: How to Thicken Sauces the Low Carb Way 2024, March
Anonim

The melon-de-São-Caetano is a tropical vegetable originated in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. It is known for its bitter taste and is believed to have many health benefits as well. You can find many different varieties of the vegetable, including Chinese Saint Caetano melon, which has a smooth husk, and Indian melon, which has a prickly husk. The most common method of cooking it is in braised dishes, but it is important to prepare it by cleaning and cutting it correctly. You can prepare this unusual ingredient with a wok, whether you prefer a simple stir-fry, a Thai flavor or an Indian flavor.

Ingredients

Simple braised São Caetano melon

  • From 2 to 3 melons-of-São-Caetano;
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of peanut oil;
  • 2 tablespoons (35 g) of kosher salt;
  • 1 tablespoon (10 g) of sugar.

Makes four servings.

St. Caetano melon sautéed with eggs

  • 1 melon-de-São-Caetano;
  • 2 eggs;
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of peanut oil;
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons (15 to 45 ml) of light soy sauce;
  • Pinch of ground white pepper.

Makes from two to three servings.

Melon-de-São-Caetano with onion and spices

  • 1 kg of melon-de-São-Caetano;
  • 4 small chopped onions;
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil;
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) of fennel seeds;
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g) turmeric powder;
  • Salt to taste;
  • 1 tablespoon (5 g) fennel seed powder;
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice;
  • 1 tablespoon (10 g) of sugar.

Makes six to eight servings.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Preparing the São Caetano melon to be cooked

Cook Bitter Melon Step 1
Cook Bitter Melon Step 1

Step 1. Wash the vegetable

Wash the melon under running water in the sink and use a brush to remove the dirt. Then rinse and dry with a clean towel.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 2
Cook Bitter Melon Step 2

Step 2. Cut the melon in half

Use a sharp knife to cut the stalk from both ends. Then cut the vegetable in half the length to divide it.

If desired, you can also use the knife to scrape the outer shell. It is edible, but shaving a little helps reduce the roughness of the vegetable

Cook Bitter Melon Step 3
Cook Bitter Melon Step 3

Step 3. Remove the seeds

When the melon is cut in half, use a spoon to scrape the seeds and all the white crumb that forms the fibrous pulp inside. Discard the seeds and fibrous crumb.

These parts are edible and you can cook them along with the rest of the melon. However, the texture can be a little hard and rubbery, and the crumb is usually quite bitter

Cook Bitter Melon Step 4
Cook Bitter Melon Step 4

Step 4. Place the two halves face down and cut the melon into thin slices

Use a knife to cut the slices to the width of the vegetable. They should be approximately 2 cm thick.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 5
Cook Bitter Melon Step 5

Step 5. Soak the Saint Caetano melon in cold water for several hours to reduce the bitter taste

Place the slices in a large bowl and cover them with cold water for one to three hours, changing the water every hour to remove as much of the bitter taste as possible.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 6
Cook Bitter Melon Step 6

Step 6. Blanch the melon to lessen the bitter taste

Another way to reduce this unpleasant taste is to blanching the vegetable before using it in a recipe. Fill half a pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the melon slices and leave for two to three minutes. Remove from pan and drain before transferring to a bowl filled with ice, leaving for two to three minutes. Drain again and use in your favorite recipe.

Method 2 of 4: Making a simple sauteed dish with St. Caetano melon

Cook Bitter Melon Step 7
Cook Bitter Melon Step 7

Step 1. Warm up a wok

Place the wok over high heat and preheat it for five minutes.

In the absence of the wok, use a wide skillet with slanted edges

Cook Bitter Melon Step 8
Cook Bitter Melon Step 8

Step 2. Add oil

Place 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of peanut oil in the hot wok. Let it heat up for a minute or two.

Replace peanut oil with vegetable oil if preferred

Cook Bitter Melon Step 9
Cook Bitter Melon Step 9

Step 3. Add the melon slices and saute for five seconds

When the oil is hot, add two or three sliced São Caetano melons to the wok. Let it cook for a while, stirring constantly.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 10
Cook Bitter Melon Step 10

Step 4. Add salt and sugar and saute for another two minutes

After a few seconds, sprinkle 2 tablespoons (35 g) of kosher salt and 1 tablespoon (10 g) of sugar over the slices. Cook for another two or three minutes, stirring continuously.

Adjust the amount of salt and sugar according to your preference

Cook Bitter Melon Step 11
Cook Bitter Melon Step 11

Step 5. Transfer the melon to a serving dish and serve

When finished cooking, serve the dish while it is still warm.

Method 3 of 4: Sauteing the St. Caetano melon with eggs

Cook Bitter Melon Step 12
Cook Bitter Melon Step 12

Step 1. Mix the eggs, soy sauce and pepper

Add two eggs, 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of light soy sauce and a pinch of ground white pepper to a bowl. Beat with a spoon until all ingredients are well combined.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 13
Cook Bitter Melon Step 13

Step 2. Warm up a wok

Place the pan over high heat and heat until it starts to smoke, which can take three to five minutes.

Any large skillet with slanted edges can be used in place of the wok

Cook Bitter Melon Step 14
Cook Bitter Melon Step 14

Step 3. Add the oil and let it heat up

When the wok is hot, add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of peanut oil and let it heat up for 10 to 15 seconds.

If you prefer, use vegetable oil instead of peanut oil

Cook Bitter Melon Step 15
Cook Bitter Melon Step 15

Step 4. Add the melon-de-São-Caetano and saute for a minute

When the oil is hot, add a clean, sliced melon and saute for a minute, stirring constantly.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 16
Cook Bitter Melon Step 16

Step 5. Add soy sauce and saute for another two minutes

Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of light soy sauce over the vegetable. Stir the mixture well and cook until the melon starts to get very soft – another minute or two.

Stir constantly while the melon cooks

Cook Bitter Melon Step 17
Cook Bitter Melon Step 17

Step 6. Spread the melon into the wok and pour the eggs over

Use a wooden spoon to spread the vegetable in a single layer. Then pour the beaten egg mixture evenly over the melon. Cook for 30 seconds so the eggs have time to get a little firmer.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 18
Cook Bitter Melon Step 18

Step 7. Turn the mixture over and cook the other side

When the eggs are somewhat set, use a spatula to turn the mixture and cook the other side. Eggs should also be firm on this side and slightly browned, which takes one to three minutes.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 19
Cook Bitter Melon Step 19

Step 8. Transfer the mixture to a plate and serve

After the eggs have finished cooking, place the melon mixture on a serving dish. Devour the dish while it's still very hot.

Method 4 of 4: Preparing the melon-de-São-Caetano with onion and seasoning

Cook Bitter Melon Step 20
Cook Bitter Melon Step 20

Step 1. Heat the oil in a wok

Bring the pan to medium heat and add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil. Let it heat up for three to five minutes.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 21
Cook Bitter Melon Step 21

Step 2. Add the fennel seeds and cook for 30 seconds

Sprinkle 1 tsp (2 g) into the wok and saute quickly.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 22
Cook Bitter Melon Step 22

Step 3. Add turmeric powder

Add ½ teaspoon (1 g) turmeric powder and stir well, letting it cook for 30 seconds for flavors to blend better.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 23
Cook Bitter Melon Step 23

Step 4. Put the onions and salt in the wok and cook for ten to 12 minutes

Add four small chopped onions and salt to taste. Allow the mixture to cook until the onions are browned and begin to caramelize.

Stir the onions continuously while cooking

Cook Bitter Melon Step 24
Cook Bitter Melon Step 24

Step 5. Add the melon-de-São-Caetano

When the onions are already caramelized, add 1 kg of the clean and cut melon. It might be a good idea to add a little more salt to neutralize the vegetable's bitter taste.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 25
Cook Bitter Melon Step 25

Step 6. Cover and cook for at least 10 minutes

Cover the wok and let the mixture cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the melon is very soft. Stir periodically to cook evenly.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 26
Cook Bitter Melon Step 26

Step 7. Add powdered fennel seed, lemon juice and sugar

When the melon is cooked, add 1 tablespoon (5 g) of ground fennel seed, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon (10 g) of sugar. Stir enough so that all ingredients are well distributed and combined.

Substitute orange juice for lemon if you prefer

Cook Bitter Melon Step 27
Cook Bitter Melon Step 27

Step 8. Cook for another five minutes

After all the ingredients are combined, let the melon cook until all the flavors are infused well. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Cook Bitter Melon Step 28
Cook Bitter Melon Step 28

Step 9. Transfer to a platter and serve

When the mixture has finished cooking, place it on the plate and enjoy while it is still hot.

The dish is usually served with rice or roti bread

Tips

  • When choosing the São Caetano melons at the supermarket, pick the ones that have a green skin instead of a yellow one, which have already passed the maturation point. Melons with dark green skins are more bitter than those with light green skins – remember this tip when buying.
  • Look for bigger lumps on the outside of the melon too - this indicates the pulp is thicker.

Recommended: