Pickled Bitter Melon with Ume Plums

Name: Pickled Bitter Melon with Ume Plums
Total time: 900 s
Yield: Serves 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14 oz bitter melon (about 400 grams); 4 tablespoons white vinegar (60 ml); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25 grams); 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 ml); 10 pickled ume plums

凱茜媽咪の廚房 @Kathy_kitchen

During hot and dry weather, it's easy to feel parched and overheated. Foods that help cool you down and refresh your body can be soothing. This sweet and tangy, crisp pickled bitter melon with ume plums is a perfect choice.

凱茜媽咪の廚房 @Kathy_kitchen

Saved

Ingredients

15 minutes

Serves 4 servings

14 ozbitter melon (about 400 grams)
4 tablespoonswhite vinegar (60 ml)
2 tablespoonsgranulated sugar (25 grams)
2 tablespoonslemon juice (30 ml)
10pickled ume plums

Saved

Steps

15 minutes

1

Use fresh, homegrown bitter melon if possible.
2

Wash the bitter melon thoroughly and cut it in half lengthwise.
3

Scoop out the seeds and scrape out the pith with a spoon, making sure it's clean.
4

The white pith inside is the main source of bitterness, so remove it to reduce the bitter taste.
5

Slice the cleaned bitter melon into thin pieces. You can chill the slices directly, but for this recipe, blanch them briefly. Cut them about 1/16 inch (0.2 cm) thick.
6

Prepare a bowl of ice water.
7

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the bitter melon slices in the boiling water for about 1 minute to remove the raw taste. When done, remove the slices and drain well.
8

Place the bitter melon slices into the ice water and stir with chopsticks to cool them evenly.
9

Let the bitter melon cool quickly in the ice water.
10

After chilling for 5 minutes, remove the bitter melon slices and drain well. Set aside.
11

Prepare the pickling mixture.
12

Mix the sugar, white vinegar, lemon juice, and ume plums together until well combined.
13

Pour the pickling mixture over the bitter melon slices and mix well.
14

Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until the flavors develop. For even better flavor, let it marinate for 2-3 days.
15

Enjoy this crisp and refreshing dish.
16

Tips:
* White bitter melon is often used for pickled or chilled bitter melon dishes because it stays crisp and refreshing.
* The white pith inside the bitter melon is the main source of bitterness, so removing it helps reduce the bitter taste.
* Slicing the bitter melon thinly gives it a crisper texture.
* Do not blanch for too long, as it can destroy nutrients and make the bitter melon too soft.