Chinese Long Squash Soup

Simmer peeled Chinese long squash in broth with garlic, with shrimp optional.

Prep time: n/a

Cook time: n/a

Serving size: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 Chinese long squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 shallot
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 7-8 shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium if available)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• Green onions and cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chinese long squash: use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin, remove the seeds, and slice.
2. In a medium-size pot, heat oil. Add shallot and garlic. Pan-fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the shrimp and cook until pink (about 3 minutes).
3. Add water, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and fish sauce. Bring the pot to a boil. Remove the shrimp and set aside in a bowl. Then add the squash, lower the heat and cover. Simmer for 7-8 minutes.
4. Uncover and add the shrimp back into the pot. Stir for 2 minutes. Remove the pot from heat. Place the soup into a bowl and garnish with green onions and cilantro.