Silk Squash with Dried Shrimp

丝瓜炒虾米

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Preparation info
  • Serves

    2 to 4

    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
House of Nanking: Family Recipes from San Francisco's Favorite Chinese Restaurant

By Kathy Fang and Peter Fang

Published 2025

  • About

KATHY: Silk squash, also known as luffa squash, is a dark green squash that, when aged and dried, can be turned into an actual sponge—hence the name luffa (aka loofah). When raw, the flesh of the squash feels like foam, but when cooked, it has a soft and silky texture, which gives it its other name. Silk squash absorbs flavor and sauces well, but because of its mild flavor, it’s best to use mild seasonings, to highlight and enhance the natural flavors of the v