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Every year, I get tons of opo squash from my harvest in the garden, so I’m always looking for new ways to use them. Opo squash is such a wonderful vegetable—it’s mild in flavor, slightly sweet, and so versatile. This Vietnamese-style stir-fry is one of my favorite ways to prepare it. It’s quick, light, and incredibly satisfying, especially when served over steamed jasmine rice.
What I love most about this dish is its simplicity. It doesn’t need many ingredients—just fresh shrimp, shallots, garlic, and fish sauce—but when everything comes together, it creates such a beautiful harmony of flavors. The sweetness of the shrimp pairs perfectly with the gentle flavor of the opo squash, while the shallots and garlic give it that aromatic depth that makes Vietnamese home cooking so special.
The most important part is making sure you don’t overcook the opo squash. It only needs a few minutes in the wok; any longer and it becomes too soft and loses its texture. You want it to be just tender with a little bite left. I like to toss it with the shrimp near the end of cooking and then cover the wok for a few minutes to let the steam finish the job.
This dish is a great example of everyday Vietnamese comfort food—humble, healthy, and full of fresh garden flavors. It’s the kind of meal I can eat again and again without ever getting tired of it.
Finish it with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and green onions, and you have a simple, wholesome stir-fry that tastes like home.
Serve it hot over a bowl of steamed rice, and it’s perfection—fresh, fragrant, and a little taste of my garden harvest.
Vietnamese Opo Squash and Shrimp Stir Fry
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled
- 1 Tbsp mushroom powder
- green onions, white part only, chopped, save green part for garnish
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- pinch black pepper
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp shallots, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 6 cups opo squash, equivalent to one medium squash, seeds removed, cut into one inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce
- ⅓ cup water
Garnish:
- cilantro, chopped
- green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Marinate shrimp with marinade ingredients and set aside.
- In a wok, on medium high heat, add oil, shallots and cloves. Stir fry for 30 seconds.
- Add shrimp and let it cook untouched for 2 minutes.
- Add opo squash, then fish sauce and mix together.
- Add water, toss and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Turn off heat and cover with lid for 5 minutes.
- Remove lid and garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.
- Serve with steamed rice and enjoy!
Nutrition
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