Shark's fin melon soup 鱼翅瓜汤

Shark's fin melon soup has became a popular soup dish nowadays. It is soothing, perfect choice as a vegetable soup for the whole family. Shark's fin soup is one of my favourite, as it looks similar to the real Shark's fin, sweet and delicious. It is also called Spaghetti Squash in wikipedia, why it's called Shark's fin melon? It is because the flesh falls away from the fruit in ribbons or strands like spaghetti or shark's fin (when cooked in a soup form). Spaghetti squash contains many nutrients including folic acid, potassium, vitamin A, and beta carotene. We wouldn't know there is so much goodness in this squash or melon. The fruit can range either from ivory to yellow or orange in color or green with white streaks. But, here I can only find those in green with white streaks (see below pictures)


Whenever I find Shark's fin melon in the market, I will surely grab one as it has became my family favourite soup dish. At the same time, it is one of the way to coax my little son to have more vegetables in his diet. Since the melon soften as we boiled in a soup, children can easily have them with rice, which is full of nutrients and vitamins. If you are also looking for a simple wholesome soup for your little ones & for the whole family. This could be the right choice!

Ingredients: 1 whole Shark's fin melon soup - medium sized 4 pcs Crab sticks 8 pcs Large prawns 1 liter Chicken broth Seasonings: 2 tsp Salt 2 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing wine 1/2 tsp White pepper 1 tsp Sesame oil Thickener: 1 tbsp Tapioca flour / Corn flour + 5 tbsp of water Methods: 1. To prepare Chicken broth, I make my own broth by using 10 pcs of chicken bones boiled in 2 liters of water. 2. While boiling, remove scums from the broth. Boil for 1 hour in slow fire. Drain and reserve. 3. Meanwhile, cut crab sticks into strips or cubes (I cut mine into smaller cubes). 4. Washed prawns, remove shells and de-vine. Cut into small chunks (about 4 portions of each). 5. Reserve one piece of prawn and crab stick for garnishing purposes. 6. Remove shark's fin melon skin, remove seeds, cut into chunks or pieces. 7. Return chicken broth in the pot, add in shark's fin melon. 8. Boil until melon is soften in slow fire. 9. Add in crab sticks and prawns, simmer for 2 mins. 10. Add in seasonings and thickener. Simmer for another 2 mins. 11. Add in the one piece of prawn and crab stick. Simmer till prawn is cooked. Off fire. 12. Serve warm in a bowl and garnish with prawn & crab stick.