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Hairy Gourd Vermicelli and Dried Shrimps
5 from 6 votes

Hairy Gourd Vermicelli and Dried Shrimps

Hairy gourd vermicelli & dried shrimp (節瓜粉絲蝦米) is a classic and traditional homey Cantonese dish that you won’t normally see at Chinese restaurants. In this Chinese hairy gourd vermicelli recipe, it has step by step photos and a video to show you how to make this fuzzy melon vermicelli & dried shrimp at home. 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 106 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Ingredients

  • 1 hairy gourd (Medium sized)
  • 2 vermicelli noodles (Mung bean noodles)
  • ½ cup dried shrimp
  • ⅜ teaspoon salt (Remember add to your taste)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cups water or soaked dried shrimp water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse and soak ½ cup of dried shrimps in a bowl. Pour 3 cups of water into the bowl and let it soak for 15-30 minutes before cooking. (Don't discard the soaked dried shrimp water, we will use it later.)
  2. Meanwhile, pour 4 cups of water into a mixing bowl and soak 2 pieces of vermicelli noodles for 15-30 minutes before cooking. 
  3. Next, mince 3 cloves of garlic.
  4. Then, use a knife to scrape off the skin of a medium sized hairy gourd. (Try not to use a peeler.)
  5. After that, rinse and wash the squash.
  6. Cut the fuzzy melon into slices (Around ⅛ inch thick.)
  7. The following, cut them into strips. (Around ¼ inch wide.)
  8. Pour 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil into the pan and add the minced garlic from step 3. Turn on the fire to medium small stir fry the garlic a little bit.
  9. Next, add the cut fuzzy melon/ hairy gourd into the pan. Stir fry them a little bit.
  10. After, add the soaked dried shrimp from step 1. Pour 2 cups of the soaked dried shrimp water into the pan.
  11. Add the soaked vermicelli noodles (mung bean noodles) from step 2. Mix them a little bit.
  12. Cover the lid and let it cook with the small fire for 10-15 minutes.
  13. Uncover the lid and keep stir frying it until the squash is soft.

Notes

  • Peel off skin of fuzzy squash, use a knife to scrape off the skin. Try not to use a peeler.
  • Be careful when you try to peel off the skin because the tiny hairs may be poking at your hands. 
  • Wash and soak vermicelli noodles and dried shrimps for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
  • Do not discard the soaked dried shrimp water and use it to cook this dish because it can bring out the umami taste.  
  • Cook the squash until it’s soft, around 15 minutes. My mom likes to cook the zit gau very soft.  

Nutrition Information

Calories 106kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 337mg (112%) Sodium 1263mg (53%) Potassium 137mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 98IU (2%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 130mg (13%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 106

% Daily Value*

Calories 106kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 337mg 112%
Sodium 1263mg 53%
Potassium 137mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 98IU 2%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 130mg 13%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.