Cucamelons.
Other Names. Cucamelons are grape-sized fruits that look like Lilliputian watermelons but taste like cucumbers. They are native to Mexico and Central America, where they go by nicknames such as sandita (“little watermelon”) or sandía ratón (“mouse melon”).
What plant looks like a mini watermelon?
Cucamelons, part of the cucurbit plant family (like watermelon and cucumber), look like miniature watermelons but are entirely green inside. Cucamelon plants are vigorous and can grow to be over 10 feet tall if trellised. Cucamelons are originally from Mexico and Venezuela and grow in warm climates.
Is there a such thing as miniature watermelon?
Mini watermelons are about the size of a cantaloupe or smaller. They’re sweet, crisp and very juicy. Their flesh varies from deep pink to deep red.
What are mini melons called?
For a melon the size of a grape, this fruit sure has a lot of names: Mouse melon, cucamelon, Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican miniature watermelon, cuka-nut, and sandíita (Spanish for ‘little watermelon’).
What else looks like watermelon?
Some look like your favorite melon, and some taste similar, but all are worth trying out.
- Cucamelons. They look like teensy watermelons and taste like sweet cucumbers.
- Armenian Cucumbers.
- Hamis.
- Chayotes.
- Frog Skin Melons.
- Bailans.
- Casabas.
- Honeydew Melons.
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.
Is mini watermelon genetically modified?
It’s also a source of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B6. Seedless watermelon is not a genetically modified food; it is a result of cross-breeding. The male pollen of a watermelon, containing 22 chromosomes, is crossed with the female watermelon flower, which has been chemically altered to contain 44 chromosomes.
Where do mini watermelons grow?
Watermelon plants require full sun, rich soil, consistent watering and good drainage. They require a long, warm growing season, but they can be grown in the North with some accommodations: Cover the soil with plastic to help it heat up, and place floating row covers over young plants to trap warm air around them.
What is the smallest melon?
Sprite. The Sprite melon’s name says it all. Its honeydew fruits are small, just about 4 inches across, and weigh about a pound. But while they look tiny when compared to other melons, these small melons pack huge flavor into their petite packages.
What looks like half a watermelon?
Enter the cucamelon: an adorable fruit that looks like a mini watermelon. About the size of a grape, a cucamelon is a mix between a cucumber and a watermelon that tastes citrusy, and is native to Mexico and Central America.
What is a mini cantaloupe called?
You’ll love these personal size, mini cantaloupes with intensely sweet, deep orange flesh that top out about the size of a small grapefruit.
How do you eat cucamelon?
How to Eat Cucamelons
- Eat them fresh from the garden. No need to remove the peel.
- Pickle them. Eat on their own or add to sandwiches and wraps.
- Use a whole one as an unexpected garnish in your favorite cocktail or lemonade.
- Chop them up and add to salsas and salads for a bright flavor.
- Cook them in a stir-fry.
What is the name for fruit like watermelon?
Gac Melon (or Gac Fruit)
Grown mostly in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, the melon has a unique flavor, like a cross between cantaloupe and avocado. Due to its lack of sweetness and mellow taste, gac melons are often used in stews, soups, curries and rice dishes.
What grows on a vine 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.
Can I eat a whole mini watermelon?
The rind is kind of good for you
Most of us eat the red flesh and throw out the rest, but it turns out the whole watermelon is good for you! Live Science reports that all parts of the watermelon can be eaten, including the rind.
How do you know when a mini watermelon is ripe?
Do a thump test. A ripe watermelon should have a deep hollow sound when you thump the rind with your hand, similar to a knock on the door. An unripe melon will have a more high-pitched resonance, whereas an overripe melon will sound more like a thud.
What happens when u eat too much watermelon?
But, if you eat too much watermelon, it can cause bloating, gas, flatulence, diarrhea, and other such stomach troubles. This is majorly due to the presence of sorbitol, which is a sugar compound, and lycopene, which gives the fruit its bright red color. Both substances promote gas problems and loose stools.
Do you eat the skin of a cucamelon?
Cucamelons themselves are eaten in their entirety, including the seeds and the thin skins.
Can you eat cucamelon raw?
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.
Is cucamelon toxic?
Overview. While there has research has been done on the suitability of feeding cucamelons to dogs; they are not known to be toxic to canines. Cucamelons contain powerful antioxidants, beta-carotene, and lycopene. They are also packed with other nutrients, including vitamins C, E, K, and potassium.
Why you should not eat seedless watermelon?
Don’t leave them or spit them out.” If you’re opting for a seedless watermelon, you’re missing out on major nutrients, experts suggest. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one ounce of watermelon seeds contains 146 milligrams of magnesium, 214 milligrams of phosphorus, and 184 milligrams of potassium.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.