also: もううい
noun
Okinawan yellow cucumber
A cucumber variety from Okinawa, typically yellow-orange when ripe, with a mild flavor. Often eaten raw or pickled. The reading もううり reflects the Okinawan pronunciation.
沖縄では、夏になると毛瓜がよく食卓に並ぶ。
In Okinawa, the yellow cucumber often appears on the dining table in summer.
モーウイはサラダにすると美味しい。
Mōwi is delicious in salads.
Standard green cucumber; 毛瓜 is a distinct Okinawan variety with a different color and milder taste.
The kanji 毛 (hair) and 瓜 (gourd) likely describe the cucumber's fuzzy skin. The reading もううり comes from Okinawan, while まうり and もううい are variant pronunciations.