A day for Goya: Japan's tropical bitter 'melon'

Goya is described as a "tropical bitter melon", but honestly the "melon" part is really misleading! First and foremost, melon is a fruit proper. Goya is a vegetable. The way I would describe it is as a deep-green cucumber (botanically a fruit, but culinarily a vegetable) with bumpy armor! Goya is part of the gourd family and Okinawa is most famous for it.

May 8th annually is dedicated to Goya, as Goya Day ゴーヤーの日 in Japan. It is particularly celebrated in Okinawa as a tribute to the region's beloved nutrient rich vegetable. The day was established by JA Okinawa and the Okinawa Prefectural Government to encourage wider enjoyment of this uniquely Okinawan vegetable. They chose May 8th for the anniversary because 5/8 can be read as "go (5) ya (8)". Early May also marks the start of peak shipping season, making it the perfect period to spotlight fresh goya.

I have to admit I rarely eat goya, because I don't enjoy it. I find it far too bitter. My husband has tried cooking it several ways to take the bitterness out of it, but nothing has succeeded so far. However, I will eat it every now and then, because the kids grow it in school and bring one home every now and then. And my mother-in-law is growing it this year, so no doubt we will be eating it at some stage this summer!

Do you eat it? Do you like it? If you have any goya recipes, they'd make a great City-cost post!