The versatile bottle gourd is a delicious ingredient that can be prepared in countless, tasty ways. Check out these opo squash recipes to be inspired on how to use it in your home cooking.
Adding opo squash to your repertoire of ingredients is a delicious and fun way to discover new dishes. It’s an incredibly versatile vegetable that’s well known across all of Asia, but still feels new and unfamiliar to so much of the rest of the world.
So whether you’re new to cooking with opo squash, or are familiar with the pale green gourd and want some new inspiration, this collection showcases an array of dishes that use it with the most delicious results.
Essential Facts About Opo Squash
You can read tons of useful information in my guide about what opo squash is, but I wanted to share some quick facts for anyone who’s trying it for the first time.
- It goes by many names – You may find it sold as opo squash, bottle gourd, lauki, Chinese long squash, calabash, or cucuzza.
- Choose firm and heavy – Select squashes that are heavy for their size and don’t have any soft or slimy spots.
- Peel large ones – The skin is edible, but can be tough and thick on more mature squashes. Use a sharp knife or good vegetable peeler to remove it.
- Remove mature seeds – Smaller, younger squashes have tender delicate seeds much like a zucchini and don’t need to be removed. Larger squashes may have developed pumpkin-like seeds that are hard and should be taken out.
With these tips and the amazing collection of opo squash recipes below, I’m confident you’ll find plenty of inspiration. I hope you enjoy discovering recipes from around the world and new flavors to love.
1. Indian Yellow Lentil Soup with Opo Squash
This Indian-inspired opo squash and yellow lentil soup uses simple ingredients to create a meal with huge flavor. You’ll enjoy every bite of tender squash and creamy lentils spiced with mustard, cumin, and garam masala.
Recipe by: Yummy Addiction
2. Spicy Opo Squash Soup with Noodles
Delicious spicy opo squash soup with noodles – perfectly creamy with the delicate flavours of coconut milk.
Recipe by: Slimming Eats
3. Seafood Opo Squash Soup
Seafood Opo Squash Soup is tasty, healthy and filled with delicate natural sweetness from opo squash, shrimp, and crab meat. With just one pot and a handful of ingredients, this easy soup will come together in less than 30 minutes.
Recipe by: Delightful Plate
4. Spiced Opo Squash / Zucchini Wheat Flatbread
Try this easy 7 ingredient wheat flatbread with shredded opo squash or zucchini.
Recipe by: Vegan Richa
5. Chana Lauki (Instant Pot)
This mild, tangy curry has soft cooked chickpeas, Indian bottle gourd (opo squash), and basic pantry staples and spices. And, It’s made in the instant pot.
Recipe by: My Dainty Soul Curry
6. Ginisang Upo with Shrimps
Ginisang upo with shrimps is a tasty vegetable dish of crisp yet tender bottle gourd (opo squash) and juicy shrimps. Serve this as a light and refreshing side dish for your delicious mains or have it with rice.
Recipe by: Amiable Foods
7. Opo Squash Dumplings In Spicy Curry
This squash and chickpea curry is simmered in a smooth sauce to make a delicious and delectable curry.
Recipe by: Food Fashion Party
8. Thai Curried Opo Squash and Peppers
This unusual squash is stir-fried with onions and bell peppers, then simmered with Thai curry and coconut milk. It is a perfect side to go with Thai curried snapper in banana leaves and coconut rice.
Recipe by: Beyond Mere Sustenance
9. Roasted Opo Squash
Opo squash cubes are tossed in olive oil and cinnamon and oven roasted to perfection! So easy to make, healthy and delicious!
Recipe by: Melanie Cooks
10. Shahi Bharwa Lauki
Do your loved ones think that lauki (opo squash) is a punishment for their taste buds? Ah, then surprise them with Shahi Bharwa Lauki and see how they gorge on their not so favourite vegetable!
Recipe by: Whisk Affair
11. Lauki Soup (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
This lauki (opo squash) soup is a quick, filling, rich and creamy soup recipe that can be made in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker with just a handful of ingredients.
Recipe by: Indian Veggie Delight
12. Steamed Bottle Gourd Snack
This steamed snack is made with grated bottle gourd (opo squash) that is mixed wheat flour, chickpea flour (besan), sooji (semolina) and flavored with assorted spices.
Recipe by: My Cooking Journey
13. Bottle Gourd Stew
A perfect combination of spice, tang and sweet makes this a must try recipe for all the opo squash lovers.
Recipe by: Madhu’s Everyday Indian
14. Bottle Gourd Dosa
Why does it have to be always potato masala for masala dosa? How about some bottle gourd (opo squash) masala dosa for a change?
Recipe by: Vidhya’s Vegetarian Kitchen
15. Instant Pot Lauki Kheer
Easy Indian dessert made in the Instant Pot by pressure cooking lauki (opo squash) with milk and sugar! This lauki kheer is flavored with cardamom, saffron and rose water!
Recipe by: Cook With Manali
