Canh Bí Cạo

1 small hairy gourd
1/2 cup shrimp, peeled and minced
2 cups water
1 green onion, chopped
4 sprigs cilantro, minced
1 T. fish sauce
pepper to taste

Scratch the gourd's skin with a knife just enough to leave some skin on the flesh. Clean out the seeds, wash and cut gourd into small triangles.
In a medium pot, add 2 cups water, bring to boil then add gourd in bring back to boil. Add shrimp and skim off any scum. Reduce heat and cook until gourd translucent. Add fish sauce and pepper to taste, add green onion and cilantro.