Romy’s White Bitter Melon, Guava, and Nectarine Salad

Romy’s salads have always been eye-opening, or rather palate-opening, excursions into new territory. This salad pairs raw bitter melon and guava with sweet and densely textured fruits, such as semiripe nectarines, in a refreshing summer salad. Substitute what’s in season, using other fruits with similar textures, such as peaches, green mango, or slightly underripe plums.

When Romy discovered white bitter melon in Brooklyn’s Chinatown, it was an exciting addition to our repertoire of