Loofah is an ingredient, but many people have probably seen loofah scrubbing sponges, which are made by letting the loofah mature and dry until it forms a net-like structure that can be used for washing dishes, with good results. However, loofah is usually consumed as food, often cooked in soups, and there are already many ways to stir-fry it.
How to Cook Stir-fried Loofah
Ingredients Preparation
Loofah, green onion, ginger, Sichuan pepper, monosodium glutamate, peanut oil, sauce as needed.
Steps
1. Peel the loofah and slice it; chop the green onion and ginger, and dice the pork belly.
2. Heat peanut oil in a pot, add the diced pork belly and stir-fry, then add the Sichuan pepper.
3. Add the chopped green onion and minced ginger to stir-fry until fragrant. Continue stir-frying until the pork is 80% cooked, then add the sauce and stir evenly.
4. Pour in the loofah slices, stir-fry until they are cooked and soft, then add salt and monosodium glutamate for seasoning before serving.
How to Cook Oyster Sauce Loofah with Black Fungus
Ingredients Preparation
350 grams of loofah, 30 grams of red bell pepper, 80 grams of green bell pepper, 30 grams of rehydrated black fungus, 15 grams of garlic, a little salt, an appropriate amount of sugar, an appropriate amount of oyster sauce, and an appropriate amount of cornstarch.
Steps
1. Wash the loofah and green and red bell peppers. Remove the stems from the rehydrated black fungus. Peel the loofah and cut it into diamond-shaped pieces.
2. Remove the stems and seeds from the green and red bell peppers, then slice them. Tear the black fungus into small pieces and slice the garlic.
3. Heat a small amount of oil in a wok, add the sliced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Then add the loofah, green and red bell peppers, and black fungus.
4. Add the oyster sauce, sugar, and salt, and quickly stir-fry for about half a minute. Mix in the cornstarch and serve.
Tips
The loofah only needs to be stir-fried until it's 80% cooked, as the residual heat will finish cooking it after it's served.
How to Cook Loofah with Goji Berries
Ingredients Preparation
Loofah, goji berries, green onion, ginger, an appropriate amount of salt, and an appropriate amount of monosodium glutamate.
Steps
1. Peel the loofah and cut it into diamond-shaped pieces. Slice the ginger and chop the green onion. Soak the goji berries in water.
2. Heat oil in a pot. Once hot, add the ginger slices and stir-fry until fragrant. Then pour in the loofah, add 100 ml of water, and braise until soft.
3. Add the goji berries, then season with salt and monosodium glutamate. Stir evenly and serve.
Tips
The seeds in the loofah turn black when exposed to high temperatures. Adding water can prevent the loofah from turning black, and iron pans can also cause the loofah to turn black.
Nutritional Benefits of Loofah
Loofah has skin-moisturizing and whitening effects, promotes blood circulation, relieves swelling, and enhances brain function. It contains a large amount of vitamin B, which is beneficial for brain development. Vitamin C can prevent scurvy, and it also has anti-allergic and wrinkle-reducing skincare effects.