These Are NOT Mini Watermelons
What looks like a cucumber-watermelon baby that never grew up is actually known as cucamelon, or a sour Mexican gherkin.
In Spanish it is known as sandita, or little watermelon.
The Story of The Cucamelon
Cucamelons come from Mexico and Central America.
The plant itself is a large vine with serrated leaves sprouting a grape sized cucamelon.
The cucamelon, or Melothria scabra, its scientific name, tastes similar to a combination of a cucumber and a lime, offering a tangy and fresh flavour.
The genus Melothria doesn’t belong to the cucumber family, but it’s often lumped into that category due to its similar habitat and flavour.
Cucamelons are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre.
They’re also low in calories.
Cucamelons taste best when they are eaten straight off the vine, no peeling required, similar to a grape.
They’re fun additions for salsas, salads, and cocktails.
They can also be pickled, much like a cucumber, and are crispier after the pickling process.
How To Grow Cucamelons
Since cucamelons blossom in Central America, they prefer to grow in similar hot climates.
They like sunshine and don’t grow well in areas under 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 degrees Celsius.
The cucamelon plant is not high maintenance.
They are drought and pest resistant and tougher than most varieties of cucumbers, making this fruit one of a kind.
The plant needs to be watered well, once or twice a week in higher temperature areas.
Wherever they are planted, the cucamelon needs a stake to climb.
Cucamelons grow slow so some patience is required, but some should appear within 3 to 4 weeks of planting.
