Mexican Sour Cucumber

Mexican sour cucumber

Mexican cucumbers, which are also known as cucamelons, have a savory taste, exactly like traditional cucumbers but with a hint of tangy lemon flavor.

How big do Mexican sour cucumbers get?

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

How do you eat Mexican sour gherkin?

Their small size makes Mexican sour gherkins versatile. They can be eaten raw, one-by-one like grapes (if you enjoy the fresh flavor) sliced up in salads, pickled whole or in chutney, used as drink garnishes and even sautéed as a veggie side-dish. Most find them best enjoyed as a pickle.

Are cucamelons poisonous?

These are edible when young and light green, but considered inedible (and possibly slightly toxic) when dark and fully mature.

How do you eat cucamelons?

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.

Do cucamelons taste good?

It's a grape-sized fruit that grows on vines, also known as the Mexican sour gherkin or Melothria scabra. It looks like a baby watermelon outside – but more like a cucumber inside, as you can see in the picture above. It tastes like a cucumber, but a bit sweeter, maybe with a hint of lime – nothing like a watermelon.

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.

Can cucamelons be grown in pots?

People with limited growing space can plant them in large pots on a deck or patio; just be sure to provide something for the vigorous vines to climb. Most of our cucamelons are eaten right out of the garden, but we also add them to salads and salsa, and pickle them.

How many cucumbers do you get from 1 plant?

Depending on who you ask, a healthy cucumber plant can be expected to produce 10 large cukes or 15 small ones within a harvest period of about three weeks.

Are cucamelons healthy?

Cucamelons are small but pack a healthful punch. They are full of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and fiber, and are also low in calories. The nutrients they provide can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Are cucamelons poisonous to dogs?

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.

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”.

How long do cucamelons last in fridge?

Store your fruits in the fridge where they'll be fine for up to about 10 days, and use them as a tasty addition to summer salads, interesting crudites, and for perking up sandwiches and wraps.

Do you have to peel a cucamelon?

However, unlike cukes, cucamelons don't need to be peeled, AND you can eat them whole, making them the perfect little treat picked fresh off the vine (no hacks nessecary).

How do you know when cucamelons are ready to eat?

Your cucamelons are ready to pick when they're the size of olives or small grapes and are still firm. Leaving them on the plant longer can result in a slightly bitter flavour and a soggy texture. Cucamelons can also be treated as a perennial providing you with fruit year-after-year.

Can cucamelons survive winter?

Small-space and container gardeners who grow cucamelons in pots can also overwinter their plants. Just snip off the dead foliage and store the pot in a cool, frost-free area for winter. Come spring, the tubers can be removed from the pot and replanted in fresh containers.

How long do cucamelons last?

Harvested cucamelons will store for 5-7 days in the fridge.

Are cucamelons invasive?

Cucamelon vines need a trellis to grow. Without pruning, it can become invasive.

What can you do with cucamelons?

Cucamelons look like mini watermelons but taste more like cucumbers. They can be eaten as a snack or used as a garnish for salads, ceviche, tacos, and fish dishes.

What are cucamelons called in Mexico?

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”).