Winter Melon Soup

Description
Serves 3 to 4.

Ingredients

 * 1 cup winter melon (½ pound)
 * water to boil winter melon
 * 2 cups chicken broth
 * 4 Chinese dried black mushrooms
 * 2 - 3 slices ginger
 * ¼ cup cooked ham, diced
 * salt and pepper to taste
 * 1 green onion, green part only, washed and cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces

Directions

 * 1) Wash the winter melon, remove the green skin, seeds, and the pulp. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Place the winter melon in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until the winter melon is tender.
 * 2) Add the chicken broth, mushrooms, ginger and cooked ham. Add seasonings as desired. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Add green onion for garnish. Serve hot.

Variations

 * 1) Purchase a whole winter melon (about 8 - 10 pounds), cut off the top, remove the seeds and pulp, place the other ingredients inside and steam for 1 – 2 hours. This makes for a fancier looking dish.
 * 2) Add barbecued pork and/or shrimp.
 * 3) Try adding other vegetables, such as bamboo shoots, carrots, or silk squash.