Hairy Melon with Dried Shrimp Soup

YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WHAT ON EARTH IS A HAIRY MELON. WELL, THE HAIRY MELON IS IN THE GOURD FAMILY AND IT’S ALSO KNOWN AS A HAIRY GOURD, FUZZY GOURD OR A HAIRY CUCUMBER. IT IS LIGHT GREEN IN COLOUR AND HAS A DOWNY, HAIRY SKIN, WHICH GIVES IT QUITE A FUZZY FEEL. IT HAS A MILDLY SWEET FLAVOUR AND, WHEN COOKED IN SOUP, ITS SOFT TEXTURE MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH. IF YOU CAN’T GET YOUR HANDS ON A HAIRY MELON, YOU CAN SUBSTITUTE IT WITH ZUCCHINI.