This item
Hairy Gourd
- Long cylindrical shape with rounded ends
- Skin normally feels finely fuzzy
- Pale flesh with soft immature seeds
Vegetables
Hairy Gourd
A young cylindrical gourd common in Hong Kong, usually with fine fuzz on its green skin.
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3 identity clues
- Long cylindrical shape with rounded ends
- Skin normally feels finely fuzzy
- Pale flesh with soft immature seeds
Names in other languages
- 繁體中文
- 節瓜
- English
- Hairy Gourd
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Hairy Gourd (節瓜)
- Tagalog
- Hairy Gourd (節瓜)
Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): zit3 gwaa1 No Cantonese voice on this device
What is it?
Hairy gourd is a young edible form related to winter melon. Hong Kong markets call it 節瓜 or 毛瓜. English names include hairy gourd, fuzzy gourd and hairy melon.
How to identify it
Look for a long cylinder, pale-to-medium green skin and fine fuzz. Handling may rub off some fuzz, so lack of obvious hair is not enough to reject it. Cut flesh is pale with soft immature seeds.
Common confusion
Compare
Zucchini
- Smooth slightly glossy skin
- Straight cylindrical form
- Pale flesh with small soft seeds
Compare
Angled Luffa
- Long green body
- Prominent lengthwise ridges
- Near star-shaped cut surface with pale flesh
Compare
Wax Gourd (Winter Melon)
- Usually larger and heavier than hairy gourd or angled luffa
- Mature skin often has pale waxy bloom
- Thick white flesh around a central seed cavity
How to identify it
Hairy gourd normally has fuzz and is peeled; zucchini normally has smooth edible skin. Both can be long and green, so shape alone is not enough.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Commonly used in Hong Kong soups, braises and dishes with vermicelli and dried shrimp.
Choosing & preparing
Wash, lightly peel or scrape away the skin and fuzz, then cut for the recipe. If an older gourd has hard seeds, follow the employer's instruction.
Storage
Keep dry in the refrigerator vegetable drawer. Wrap cut pieces and use soon.
Helper tip
Zucchini usually has smooth, thin skin and is often cooked unpeeled; hairy gourd is commonly peeled first.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
買兩條節瓜，唔好買翠玉瓜。The employer wants two hairy gourds and is specifically warning you not to buy zucchini.
Useful market phrase
唔該要兩條嫩節瓜。Meaning: Two tender Hairy Gourd, please.
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