Unexceptionally, we are spending very hot summer days. Because of these consecutive hot days and nights, many people tend to lose appetite. Also, it is so likely that we prefer to choose cold food and drink unintentionally. However, to avoid suffering from summer fatigue, it is very important to eat nutritious food to keep our stamina.
Today, I would like to introduce one of the typical Okinawan summer vegetable, red gourds. The red gourds are said to be brought into Okinawa from China during the 15th century. Literally, this type of gourd has a reddish brown skin. In Okinawan dialect, it is called moui pronounced as “Mow We.”
Moui is generally 30cm long and 10cm wide and costs around 100 yen. We can find cheaper than 100 yen at the local farmer’s market. It is very reasonable.
Moui does not look very attractive, to be honest. But its flesh is so white, fresh, and juicy. Moui consists mainly of water content, more than 95%. But it is high in nutritional values. It is rich in potassium and vitamins, both of which are inevitable during hot summer time. The health benefits of moui are for preventing high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and arteriosclerosis.
When you cut moui, it smells like cucumbers, but it tastes totally different. It is more tasteless; in another words, moui can develop into many different dishes depending on the seasonings you choose.
The texture of moui is very fresh. You can enjoy its last-long crunchy texture. Slice thinly, toss with your favorite dressing, and you have one simple but healthy salad for your meal. Many Okinawan people like moui salad with a spoonful tuna flakes and soy sauce based vinegar.
Besides eaten as a fresh salad, we like to make pickled moui, shimmered with soup stock, or just stir-fried with salt and pepper.