Bitter melon, also called bitter gourd in English ... The de-seeded gourds may be added to soup, stuffed with vegetables or meats, simmered and stewed, sliced and sautéed, soaked and pickled ...

Stuffed vegetables were a speciality of my grandmother, who made them often for her delicious family meals. This basic pork stuffing works well with dried mush­rooms, as well as bitter melon ...