Opo Squash

Discover the versatility of opo squash, a beloved bottle gourd that brings mild, refreshing flavors and incredible culinary flexibility to your kitchen. Also known as bottle gourd, calabash, or lauki, this elongated light green vegetable is a staple ingredient in Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisines, prized for its tender texture and ability to absorb the flavors of spices and seasonings beautifully. Opo squash features a smooth, pale green skin and crisp white flesh with a subtle, slightly sweet taste similar to cucumber or zucchini. When cooked, it develops a soft, almost melting texture that works wonderfully in curries, stir-fries, soups, and stews. In Indian cooking, it's commonly prepared as lauki ki sabzi with aromatic spices, while Chinese cuisine often features it in clear broths or stuffed preparations. The squash can be peeled, diced, and added to dal, used in vegetable medleys, or even incorporated into dumplings and fritters. This nutritious gourd is incredibly easy to prepare and cooks quickly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. Simply peel the outer skin, remove the seeds from larger specimens, and cut into your desired shape. Opo squash pairs excellently with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cumin, and complements proteins like chicken, fish, or lentils. Its high water content and mild flavor also make it an excellent choice for light summer dishes, refreshing salads, or as a healthy addition to smoothies and juices.