Pumpkin shoots are the hidden way to eat them! A Guangdong guy grew pumpkins in his yard and made netizens drool with envy

Guangdong people's dedication to food really extends from the field to the dining table. Recently, a Guangdong guy showed off the pumpkins in his yard online. He originally wanted to show off a wave of harvest, but the comment section was completely led astray by "pumpkin shoots." Northern netizens were baffled: "I've lived this long and only ever eaten pumpkins, the shoots can be eaten too?"

This guy's surname is Chen. There is a patch of open space in his yard, not too big and not too small. Last autumn he casually scattered a handful of pumpkin seeds, and unexpectedly this year the vines climbed all over the yard along the fence, with palm-sized leaves blocking out the sky. The small pumpkins hiding in the gaps between the leaves had just sprouted, and the green skin still had fuzz on it, looking delightful.

When Chen was filming the video, he was still holding a handful of freshly picked tender shoots and said to the camera with a smile: "Don't just stare at the pumpkins. These shoots are the treasure! Guangdong people eat a lot of these in spring. They're even fresher than green vegetables." He said that when he grows pumpkins, half is for the fruit and half is for the shoots. Every morning he gets up and picks a handful of the freshest ones, and by noon they can be on the table.

As for how to eat pumpkin shoots, Chen directly shared a home-style method. First, tear off the old fibers on the outside of the tender shoots - this step is crucial, otherwise they get stuck in your teeth when chewed. Then wash them clean in water, heat oil in a wok, saute garlic until fragrant, throw the shoots in and stir-fry quickly over high heat, and add a little salt and light soy sauce to season. "The heat must be high. If you cook them too long, they go limp and lose their texture." He also added that sometimes he makes lean pork soup with pumpkin shoots. The broth is clear, and drinking it is especially refreshing and cuts through greasiness. It is most comfortable to drink in summer.

The comment section got lively. Guangdong netizens chimed in one after another: "Exactly! Pumpkin shoots stir-fried with fermented black beans are super fragrant. My family must eat them every week."

"My mom also stir-fries them with eggs. They taste even better than spinach with eggs"; "This is the first time I knew pumpkin shoots can be eaten. I'll try growing some too"; "Location: Northeast. I've never seen them sold in the vegetable market. Is this a regional exclusive?"

Someone else joked: "So Guangdong people don't even spare the 'childhood' of pumpkins. They really know how to eat!"

Pumpkin shoots are the tender stems and leaves of the pumpkin. They taste tender and fresh and are rich in nutrients, and they are a common seasonal vegetable in summer. They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium and dietary fiber, and help promote digestion and enhance immunity. When cooking, they can be stir-fried plainly, boiled in soup or served cold, and they are refreshing and tasty. When selecting them, those with emerald green leaves and crisp tender stems are best. Before eating, the old stalks and fuzz need to be removed. In southern regions, pumpkin shoots are often regarded as a heat-relieving ingredient, and when stir-fried with minced garlic or fermented black beans, they have a unique flavor. In addition, pumpkin shoots also have certain dietary therapy value and are traditionally used to relieve constipation and clear heat and remove dampness.

Actually, in Guangdong, pumpkin shoots have long been not some niche ingredient. They are sold in vegetable markets all year round, and the price is a little more expensive than ordinary green vegetables, but that does not stop people from loving them. Some say they have a natural sweet taste, crisp and tender when stir-fried, and sweet and fresh when boiled in soup. Others think they are more nutritious than water spinach and sweet potato leaves. Now that Chen has shown them off like this, quite a few northern netizens say they want to unlock a new ingredient. It looks like this hidden way of eating from Guangdong people is going to become popular across the whole country.