Winter Melon Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms, Green Beans, and Kelp

2 min read

Cleansing and cooling, with delicate winter white flesh, winter melon is a popular soup ingredient in China. Based on a family recipe submitted by Saimei, my student with the sweetest of smiles, this tasty winter melon soup bears a delightful tang of the sea with the addition of kelp, a nutritious sea vegetable. If dried thin strands of seaweed tangle, a variety of kelp, are unavailable, a toasted nori sheet, torn into small pieces, can be stirred into the soup just before serving. If winter melon is unavailable, fuzzy melon, zucchini, or the white part of a watermelon can be substituted.

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

4 cups water

2 pounds winter melon, peeled, seeded, cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes

4 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 1⁄2-inch lengths

6 medium dried Shiitake mushrooms, soaked in hot water to cover 20 minutes, or until softened, rinsed, drained, stemmed, and thinly sliced

1⁄2 ounce dried kelp, preferably seaweed tangle, rinsed, soaked in cold water to cover 20 minutes, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, or more, to taste

1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

1 tablespoon sugar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced

1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (leaves and stems)

1 tablespoon toasted (dark) sesame oil, or more, to taste

In a medium stockpot, bring the broth and water to a boil over high heat. Add the melon, green beans, mushrooms, kelp, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, sugar, salt, and pepper and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until melon is tender and transparent, 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding the scallions and cilantro the last few minutes of cooking. Stir in the sesame oil and serve warm.

{PER SERVING} Calories 102 • Protein 10g • Total Fat 3g • Sat Fat 0g • Cholesterol 0mg • Carbohydrate 12g • Dietary Fiber 5g • Sodium 607mg