Winter Melon Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 5 (1-inch-wide) large dried scallops
• 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into very thin matchsticks (2 tablespoons)
• 1 (2-lb) wedge winter melon
• 2 oz Smithfield or other cured ham (1 piece or sliced), trimmed of any spice coating and cut into very thin matchsticks (1/2 cup)
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
• 1 (1-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, smashed
• 1 (3- to 3 1/2-lb) whole chicken
• 14 cups water
• 2 oz Smithfield or other cured ham (1 piece or sliced), trimmed of any spice coating
• 1 bunch scallions, halved crosswise