Stir Fried Fuzzy Melon with Fried Minced Fish & Bean curd Stick

Some of you will wonder , fuzzy melon ? huh ?! It's also called hairy gourd , we call it  節瓜 ( written by Mansie ) or jié gua . It has this clear fine hair on its surface thus the name . You can  steam it - stuffed with minced pork ( and shrimp ) , stir fry with dried shrimps and vermicelli  , use it in soups , stews and some other Chinese dishes . You can also use pork spare ribs or chicken in this recipe or go vegetarian . Omit , substitute if prefer .

1 fuzzy melon , peeled and cut into pieces and scrape the seeds ( optional )
about 120 grams store-bought minced fish , fried
about 100 grams soft bean curd sticks , blanched and water squeezed out , cut in half
3/4 cup water
2 cloves garlic
some ginger slices
1 tsp bagoong ( Filipino for shrimp paste ) or any shrimp paste
some salt and sugar to taste
some spring onion , sectioned
1/2 tsp tapioca starch , 2 T water & 1/2 tsp light soy sauce , mix together

* Heat some oil in the pan , fry ginger and garlic until fragrant then add in the shrimp paste  . Add the melon , fried fish and water and season with salt and sugar , bring to boil , adjust taste and add in the bean curd . Cover and let simmer until the melon turns soft and transparent . Add in spring onion , stir and pour in the tapioca mixture , mix until the sauce thickens , give it a good stir and transfer to a plate . Serve hot . Best serve with rice

Fuzzy melon / hairy gourd

Store-bought minced ( dace ) fish

Soft bean curd sticks