Do I still need to blanch the loofah in water when stir frying

Stir fried luffa generally does not require blanching, and can be directly stir fried in a pot to better preserve its nutrition and taste. Loofah has sufficient moisture and a soft texture, and can be cooked thoroughly by stir frying at high temperatures. Blanching it may actually lead to nutrient loss and a poorer taste. Silk gourd is rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, as well as minerals such as potassium and magnesium. High temperature blanching can easily destroy water-soluble vitamins. When stir frying directly, it is recommended to quickly stir fry over high heat and pair with minced garlic or shrimp to enhance freshness. This can maintain a crispy and tender taste while reducing nutrient loss. If you are concerned about pesticide residues or surface impurities, you can soak in diluted salt water for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. In rare cases, if you need to make cold mixed luffa or pursue a softer and more tender taste, you can blanch it for a short period of time. Blanch the sliced luffa in boiling water for 10-15 seconds and immediately rinse with cold water. At this point, the cell structure has not been completely destroyed and some of its crispness can still be retained. However, it should be noted that after blanching, the water should be thoroughly drained, otherwise it is easy for water to come out during frying and affect the quality of the finished vegetables.

For daily cooking of luffa, it is recommended to choose tender luffa with a fresh green skin and a firm texture. Old luffa has rough fibers and is prone to bitterness. When stir frying, control the oil temperature to avoid burning, and it can be paired with ingredients such as eggs and fungus to enrich nutrition. Loofah has a cold nature and should be consumed in moderation for those with spleen and stomach deficiency and coldness. Adding ginger slices during cooking can neutralize the cold nature. Retaining the skin of luffa can increase dietary fiber intake, but when the skin is damaged or aged, it should be peeled off.