Silk Squash Soup with Shredded Pork

The silk squash is an odd vegetable, shaped like a cucumber but with ridges along its length, ridges that must be pared off before the squash is prepared. It was a special treat for me as a girl in China because it was available only from late spring to early summer, less than two months a year. It is available at all times here. Select small, young silk squashes because they are very sweet.