Winter Melon Soup

__NOTOC__
== Description ==
Serves 3 to 4.
== Ingredients ==
* 1 cup winter melon (½ pound)
* water to boil winter melon
* 2 cups chicken broth
* 4 Chinese dried black mushrooms
* 2 - 3 slices ginger
* ¼ cup cooked ham, diced
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 green onion, green part only, washed and cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces
== Directions ==
# Wash the winter melon, remove the green skin, seeds, and the pulp. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Place the winter melon in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until the winter melon is tender.
# Add the chicken broth, mushrooms, ginger and cooked ham. Add seasonings as desired. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Add green onion for garnish. Serve hot.
== Variations ==
# Purchase a whole winter melon (about 8 - 10 pounds), cut off the top, remove the seeds and pulp, place the other ingredients inside and steam for 1 – 2 hours. This makes for a fancier looking dish.
# Add barbecued pork and/or shrimp.
# Try adding other vegetables, such as bamboo shoots, carrots, or silk squash.
Category:Bamboo shoot Recipes
Category:Chinese okra Recipes
Category:Ham Recipes
Category:Pork Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos
Category:Shallot Recipes
Category:Shiitake mushroom Recipes
Category:Shrimp Recipes
Category:Soup Recipes
Category:Winter melon Recipes