5 in season fruits & vegetables: April edition

It’s a new month! Which can only mean one thing… We are back with our seasonal vegetables series. This time, we bring you vegetables that have just sprung into their seasonality during this month of April. We hope you enjoy this variety of vegetables because we are so excited for the freshness of these selected ones - they are so delicious.

秋葵 Okra

In season between the months of April to November.

Did you know the okra is sometimes referred to as "lady's fingers"?

They are found in tropical climates like Africa and South Asia, and can come in two different colours: red and green (who knew?). Although the red ones turn green once they are cooked. Okra is actually a flowering plant and is classified as a fruit! Some of the benefits of this fruit is that it is highly nutritious - loaded in vitamin C and K, and believe it or not, also contains protein which many other vegetables and fruits lack.

Here is a recipe with okra that we love: view recipe.

豆角 Long Bean

In season between the months of April to September.

A.K.A. yard-long beans or Chinese snake beans, long beans are legumes native to Asia and commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine. Although they resemble the green beans that most of us are familiar to due to their appearance, their flavours are dissimilar. Long beans are less sweet and have a grassy taste that are best balanced and harmonised with Southeast Asian flavours. Not only delicious, their high nutrient content include vitamins, magnesium, iron and many more. Flavourful and packed with health benefits!

Why not try this spicy long bean with sausage and mushroom recipe?

冬瓜 Wax Gourd

In season between the months of April to December.

Similar to the okra, the wax gourd is also a fruit. Perhaps we should change this edition to seasonal fruits? It is native to Asia, specifically Southern Asia, the wax gourd carries many different common names; ash gourd, winter melon, white pumpkin and Chinese watermelon. Once ripen, the exterior turns into an ash-coloured coating, giving it one of its common names. The mild taste is similar to that of cucumbers and is highly popular in Chinese and Indian cuisines, generally utilised as vegetables in cooking. It has also been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Being 96% water, the wax gourd is very low in calories but rich in fibre, especially in the form of soluble fibre. Remember next time when you buy them, to pick some that feel heavy and free of bruises.

Here's a quick and easy way of cooking the wax gourd: view recipe.

佛手瓜 Chayote Squash

In season between the months of April to October.

In Mandarin, the chayote is called ‘佛手瓜’, fo shou gua, which actually means Buddha’s palm due its shape's resemblance to a clenched fist. Their mild flavour means they can lend themselves to sweet and savoury dishes, rendering them highly versatile in cooking. One great bonus with the chayote squash is that every part of it can be consumed (from its skin to flesh to seeds!). Botanically classified as a fruit, they are commonly cooked liked vegetables. Chayote squashes are full of antioxidants and other nutrients like vitamins B & C.

Check out this delicious chayote squash stir-fry recipe.

苦瓜 Bitter Cucumber

In season between the months of April to October.

Its name is quite self-explanatory, it has a bitter taste and it looks like a cucumber. Similar to the previous vegetables (or rather fruits), the bitter cucumber is common in Asian cooking. If you are not much of a bitterness fan, try removing the inner flesh and seeds and either blanch or salt it. This Chinese bitter melon - another common name - tastes great stuffed, curried, pickled… you name it! Another additional benefit is it is also believed to carry medicinal qualities; it can reduce blood sugar and improve your digestive system.

Here's a classic Chinese bitter cucumber recipe: view recipe.

For more information on seasonal vegetables, have a look at this amazing Seasonal Calendar of Vegetables and Fruits from Hong Kong made by Slow Food HK. You can also find a great repertoire of seasonal highlights in Hong Kong from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.