Goya Champroo by Naomi

Here are the yummy ingredients: Goya (bitter melon), firm tofu and spam (yes, spam again!).

Slice open the goya and then with a spoon strip the seeds and pulp from the goya. If the seeds look any darker red or orange then don't use the goya, it will have gone bad.

Ok, so if you have never eaten goya, let me warn you...it is BITTER! YIKES! So, to remedy this just a bit, slice the goya and put it in a large dish and cover the goya with water, then salt it generously. Let the goya soak in the salt water for a good 15 to 20 minutes.

Then, rinse the goya well and with your hands squeeze handfuls of goya to get the water out of the vegetable. If you don't do this, your goya will be "wet" and sloppy in the pan.

Ok, so get your pan out and give it a drizzle of about a Tbsp of olive oil. Turn your heat to medium and then toss in some large chunks of firm tofu. Cook the tofu until it is golden brown. Then remove the tofu to a dish.

Add in another drizzle of olive oil and toss in your goya and spam that you have sliced into some nice strips. Cook for a few minutes until the goya is not crunchy and spam in browned.

Add the tofu back into the pan with the goya and spam and then add two eggs that you have beaten well.

Stir until the eggs are thoroughly cooked.

You then can sprinkle in some seaweed strips if you like. You can buy these at the 100Y store or a local grocery store.

Also, you can add a sprinkling of fish broth granules if you like. These can be found in the commissary in a smaller box with the same cover.

Now, ideally it would have been great to take a picture of the finished product. But, it was eaten SO FAST that I didn't have a chance. Let me tell you though, it was good! The Okinawan's LOVE goya and swear by its medicinal and restorative properties. Apparently it is so packed with vitamins that it is practically a fountain of youth! Who can argue with that?!

So, yes it is a bit bitter but give it a try. You can buy the goya at the commissary or any local grocery store.

Thanks Naomi!

Oh, and these? These are delicious flavor packets for rice. You make the rice according to its directions and then when you serve this just add a sprinkle to the top. Go light on it though, they are packed with flavor!

The purple one is plum, the orange is salmon and the red is tuna. I had the salmon flavored one and it was excellent.

Now, head on down to the commissary, buy some goya (don't forget the spam and tofu!) and try out this authentic and unique to Okinawan dish. You will be glad you did!