If you are looking for something new and fun to grow and cook with this summer, have we got a treat for you! Cucamelons are eensy-weensy cucumber-ish fruits that don’t look or taste like cucumbers. Why on Earth do we need such a thing? If you have to ask, party pooper, you’ve clearly never had one. Suffice it to say that cucamelons are proof that Mother Nature has a sense of humor, and that she loves us. A lot.
Cute, refreshing cucamelons have the snap and crunch of a cucumber, but taste like they’ve been soaking in lime juice. They look exactly like tiny watermelons, earning them the very apropos nickname “sandiita”, which means “little watermelon” in Spanish. They are also known as “Mexican sour gherkin”, or “mouse melon”. These adorable grape-sized fruits can be eaten right off the vine, and don’t require peeling as those pesky cucumbers do. (1)
Growing The Cucamelon
This vine is native to Mexico and Central America, so as you might expect they love the heat and sun of the mid-summer months. Though they may be a little slow to get going, particularly if summer in your region builds slowly, most gardeners say cucamelons are hardier than cucumbers. So if you put them in the ground and find the spring coolness hangs on longer than you’d hoped, never fear. They may be small, but they’re scrappy.
And they’re worth it too! If you ever encounter them in your local grocery store, you’ll likely notice a very steep price tag. In some places cucamelons can go for as much as $20 per pound, so by all means: try growing some and see what happens! We’re guessing you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
They are just as happy in the garden as they are in containers, and only take about 2 months to mature. Be sure to give the vines something to climb, which has the added benefit of putting the fruits at eye level, promoting better garden snacking. (2)
Cooking The Cucamelon
This crispy, refreshing, citrusy fruit is so versatile, your imagination may be the only limit! Cucamelons can be pickled just like you would cucumbers. You can use them in a stir fry or ceviche, add them to a salad, or make them into salsa.
These little conversation starters are perfect garnishes for drinks too. But in all honesty, you might find that you can’t even complete one recipe with them because they don’t make it into your house. You won’t be able to stop picking them off the vine, and neither will anyone in your family.
Not GMO, Yo
As adorable as they are delicious, few fruits are as much fun as the cucamelon! But if you’re worried about this being some kind of GMO Franken-fruit, don’t. As you already know, the cucamelon is a fruit native to Latin America. It belongs to the ‘Melothria scabra’ genus, and though it seems like a mashup of 3 things, it’s not a hybrid at all, and certainly not GMO. (3)
It’s nothing but adorable, and you’ve definitely got to try one this summer!
