CUCAMELON-Mouse Melon-Melothria scabra-Mexican Sour Gherkin

Melothria scabra, known as „Cucamelon“ or „Mouse melon“. The fruits are small enough to fit into a teaspoon, yet bite into one and the flavor is pure cucumber with a refreshing tinge of lime. Its unique flavor, its pest-free and rampant habit of growth, not to mention its huge productivity, all conspire to recommend this unusual vine to home gardeners looking for something new to add to their menus. These tiny watermelon look-a-likes from Central America have been popular since Aztec times. The vines produce a constant stream of fruit throughout the summer, known „little watermelon“ in Spanish. Despite their exotic origins and adorable appearance, they are much easier to grow than regular cucumbers. Their lush vines are ignored by pests, resistant to drought and perfectly happy to grow outdoors if given a sheltered sunny site. The vine is attractive and productive enough for hanging baskets. Sow in April to May for harvesting July to September. Cucamelons can be eaten in exactly the same way as traditional cucumbers - sliced into salads, chopped into salsas or pickled whole like cornichons.