Braised Bittersweet Medley

• Squash
• Bitter melon
• Garlic
• Fermented black beans (dau see)
• Spring onions, chopped in 1-inch lengths

Halve, seed, slice, and salt bitter melon (q.v.); let rest 10-20 minutes while it exudes some of its bitterness; drain and squeeze. Meanwhile, chop squash in cubes, using about twice as much squash as melon. Use approximately equal amounts of garlic and black beans, and about 1 teaspoon of each for 2 cups (total) of the vegetables. Mash garlic and black beans together.

In a casserole, h