Received Bitter Melon | August, Summer Diary

A colleague at work gave me some bitter melon.
Apparently, they are growing it on their apartment balcony.
The bitter melon I received was as large and vibrant as anything sold in a supermarket, and I found myself tilting my head more than 90 degrees in confusion, thinking, 'This was grown... on an apartment balcony...?'

Before giving it to me, they asked, 'Do you like bitter melon?' Since I really love it, I answered normally, 'I do!' But after that, they kept asking, 'Wait, do you really like it? You're not just saying that, are you? Is it more like you can eat it rather than actually liking it?'
While I appreciated their thoughtfulness in checking multiple times to make sure I wouldn't be inconvenienced by receiving unexpected produce, I also felt a bit sorry for the bitter melon that had to be doubted so much.

I immediately made the bitter melon into goya chanpuru and ate it. It was incredibly delicious.

I really do love bitter melon. From the bottom of my heart.
I want to make sure those slightly pitiful balcony-grown bitter melons know that.
Grow up delicious again.


That said, when I think about it, it's true that I don't really know how to eat it other than in goya chanpuru.
If you have any delicious recipes, please let me know.

(I definitely want to try this recipe from Akari-san, whom I love, this summer...)