Opo Squash with Fish Soup

November 4, 2022  Cambodian Chef Avatar
Opo Squash with Fish Soup

The Opo Squash with Fish Soup is an authentic Cambodian recipe, featuring the distinctive flavor of opo squash, a member of the gourd family similar to zucchini. This soup is not just a culinary delight but also carries cultural significance, with an interesting tale associated with one variety of opo squash shaped like a bottle, believed by an old Khmer tale to contain a pure black magic potion. However, due to religious and superstitious beliefs, some Khmer individuals choose not to consume opo squash, considering it a mix of religion and black magic.

To prepare this soup, water is brought to a boil in a soup pot, and then a whole trout or catfish, cleaned and cut into chunks, is added along with the sliced opo squash. The fish and squash are cooked until the fish reaches a tender consistency, creating a flavorful base for the soup. The next step involves seasoning the soup with roasted rice powder, fish sauce, and sugar, enhancing the taste profile with savory and sweet notes.

The final touch to the Opo Squash with Fish Soup includes topping it with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of black pepper, adding freshness and a hint of spiciness. This delightful soup is best enjoyed hot and paired with rice. Beyond its culinary appeal, the dish reflects the rich cultural tapestry of Cambodia, where traditional beliefs and stories continue to influence daily practices, even in the choice of ingredients.

Ingredients

4 cups of water
1 whole medium size trout or catfish, cleaned and cut chunk
2 lbs (900 gram) of opo squash, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons of roasted rice powder
2 tablespoons of fish sauce
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 stalks of green onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Directions to make Opo Squash with Fish Soup

  1. Put water in a soup pot, cook till water bubbling, add fish and opo squash to boiling water, cook till fish tender.
  2. Seasoning with roasted rice powder, fish sauce and sugar.
  3. Top with green onion and black pepper.
  4. Serve hot with rice.

Serve hot with rice.

Enjoy it

Related Recipe: Vegetable Fish Stew

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1

Calories Per Serving: 832

% Daily Value
Total Carbohydrate ‏58g 21%
Cholesterol ‏258mg 86%
Total Fat ‏28g 36%
Dietary Fiber ‏5g 18%
Protein ‏107g 214%
Sodium ‏4738mg 206%
Sugars ‏14g 28%

Prep

30 min

Cook

30 min

Rate

98%

Favorite

No Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Collections

    Skill Level

    Easy

    Recipe Tag

    Pork