Ash Gourd - Yash (Benincasa hispida) Yash is a uniformly round variety of Ash Gourd, also known as Wax gourd, winter melon, fuzzy melon, and hairy melon. The fruit is covered by a white, chalky wax which deters microorganisms and helps impart an extraordinary longevity to the melon. Winter melon fruits can be stored for as long as a year without refrigeration. Ash gourd can be used in many variety of dishes from curries to soups to candies.