“The Chinese preserving melon”
Covered with a coating of fuzzy fine hairs when young, with a thick white flesh, the Tung Qua is the only member of the genus “Benincasa”. By the time it matures, the fruit loses its hairs and grows a waxy coating.
Asian Origins
Much like the winter squash, the winter melon can be stored for many many months. It’s even recognized as a fruit with medicinal properties in parts of India and South Asia.