Watermelon gherkin cucumbers are tiny and oblong, approximately 2-3 centimeters in length. About the size of a quarter, Watermelon gherkins grow on a climbing vine and resemble a watermelon with smooth, lime green and white striped firm, crunchy skin.
What does a Mexican sour gherkin taste like?
These incredible small, cucumber-like fruits are shaped like baby watermelons. Great when added to salads, or they can be pickled. The cucumber-like taste has a touch of lemon. The ornamental vines have tiny leaves and flowers.
What do watermelon cucumbers taste like?
Cucumbers are actually a fruit — and they belong to the same family as watermelon. Aside from their size and the thickness of their outer rind, one of the main differences between the two is the level of sweetness. Cucumbers are mild and refreshing, watermelons are much sweeter.
Are Mexican sour gherkins the same as cucamelons?
Cucamelons are a type of cucumber native to Mexico and areas of Central America, more formally known as Mexican Sour Gherkins. The grape-size speckled cucumbers grow on sprawling but delicate, thin vines. They’re also sometimes called “mouse melons”.
What is a cucumber that looks like a watermelon?
Probably nothing in real life but the small cucurbit Melothria scabra fits that bill. This herbaceous climber in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae) is grown for its tiny edible fruit that looks just like a miniature striped watermelon.
Are cucamelons safe to eat?
Cucamelons can be eaten raw right off the vine or used in more creative ways. With their sour flavor, cucamelons can be great additions to salsas, salads and cocktails.
How do you eat watermelon cucumbers?
One of the best ways to eat mini watermelon cucumbers is to pop them in your mouth, one after the other. But if you’re looking for a twist on your usual salad, they’re the perfect crunchy addition. So – in an effort to make lunchtime just a little bit cuter – we sliced them into a special salad with heirloom tomatoes.
Does putting sugar on a cucumber make it taste like watermelon?
got an angry Nope when asked if it tasted like watermelon. OVERALL: It looks like this myth has been busted and unless you use a massive amount of sugar, cucumbers don’t taste like watermelon.
What is a cross between a cucumber and a melon called?
Whether you call them mouse melons, Mexican sour gherkins, sanditas or by their popular U.S. name, cucamelons, these adorable fruits are the latest in a recent burst of “rediscovered” produce making inroads into American food culture.
What does a cucamelon taste like?
1. What is a cucamelon? According to the Huffington Post, the cucamelon is a fruit that looks like a tiny watermelon but tastes more like a lime-dipped cucumber. It’s also known as Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican miniature watermelon, Mexican sour cucumber and mouse melon, BuzzFeed reports.
How much do cucamelons cost?
Very rarely, you might find cucamelons at the farmers’ market, but they can fetch up to $20 a pound! The price alone makes it worth growing cucamelons for yourself. They’re an easy crop; the vines are very productive, and they’re rarely troubled by the many insects and diseases that plague cucumbers.
Do cucamelons come back every year?
Cucamelons are tender perennials which means, if you live in a warm climate they may continue to grow year after year from the same root stock. You can test this by insulating the area with mulch after the growing season.
How do you eat watermelon gherkins?
It can be consumed fresh, and the skins and seeds are edible. Watermelon gherkins are popularly used to make pickles and can also be added to salsas for unique texture and flavor. They can also be juiced to add flavor to cocktails or used whole as a martini garnish.
Are gherkins pickled cucumbers?
A gherkin is a pickled baby cucumber. The name “gherkin” comes from the Dutch word “gurken,” which means small pickled cucumber. Gherkins, also known as baby pickles or miniature cucumbers, are usually one to two inches long.
What vegetable looks like a tiny watermelon?
Also known as Mexican gherkins, the fruit of Melothria scabra looks like watermelons shrunk for a dollhouse tea party. Each is the size of a grape, speckled white with green striations. Raw, the mouse melons have the taste and crunch of a fresh cucumber but with a burst of bright sour lemon from the skin.
How do u eat cucamelon?
Cucamelons are eaten raw and added to dishes or sides that benefit from a tangy, sour flavor. They are commonly added to salsas and salads. Cucamelons can also be pickled, just like cucumbers.
When should you eat a cucamelon?
Cucamelons are ready to harvest and eat when they are about the size of a grape and feel firm to the touch.
Here are a few different ways to eat your cucamelons:
- Eat them fresh from the garden.
- Pickle them.
- Use a whole one as an unexpected garnish in your favorite cocktail or lemonade.
How do you know when a cucamelon is ripe?
Cucamelon picking should be done when the fruits are not much more than an inch (2.5 cm.) in length and still firm to the touch. If you pick them later, they will be very seedy. Cucamelons develop and ripen pretty quickly after the flowers appear, so keep watching your vines daily.
How big do Mexican sour gherkins get?
1 ft. tall
How to Grow Cucamelon (Mexican Sour Gherkin)
| Common Name | Cucamelon, mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, sandita |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Melothria scabra |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Plant Type | Annual, fruit |
| Size | 1 ft. tall, up to 10 ft. wide |
Should cucamelons be refrigerated?
The cucamelons will be pickled and ready to eat. Once opened, store in the refrigerator. They will keep up to 3 months, but most likely won’t last nearly that long!
How do you know if a watermelon is injected?
Often injected watermelons will appear too red. You will feel redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it. Also, while reaching the middle, you will see a slightly burnt mark due to chemicals. In the first go, the watermelon may seem red and fresh, but it would be rotting.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.