There is not a real fruit called a cocomelon, no. The name of the children's show is made up from combining the words coconut and melon.
Also known as a mouse melon, the Mexican sour gherkin, or by its Spanish name, sandiita (little watermelon), a cucamelon is the fruit of the Melothria scabra vine and is about the size of a grape. But despite the name, they're not actually a hybrid of watermelons and cucumbers.
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.
Botanically, cucamelons are neither cucumber nor a melon, and the plants will not cross-pollinate with either. They're in the cucumber family, but they're a different species altogether (Melothria scabra). Cucuamelons are nothing new, they've been grown in Mexico and Central America since before European colonization.
These are edible when young and light green, but considered inedible (and possibly slightly toxic) when dark and fully mature.
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.
Cucamelons are part of the cucumber family, but they look like mini watermelons. These fruits are packed with nutrients, including powerful antioxidants. They are considered a superfood because of their many health benefits.
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).
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.
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”).
2. Where do cucamelons grow? Cucamelons originated in Mexico and Central America, BuzzFeed reports. The fruit, which is about the size of a grape, grows on a vine.
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.
They can be eaten raw, used in stir fries, or pickled like cucumbers. The young, tender fruits are best for eating raw, while the older fruits with more developed seeds are better for pickling. Mouse melon is as easy to grow as regular cucumbers and does best in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun.
Harvested cucamelons will store for 5-7 days in the fridge.
The inside is full of small, soft seeds. If cucamelons are left on the vine too long they can become more tough or bitter, so it's important to pick them in their prime!
Water. Cucamelons prefer moist but not saturated soil, so make sure your plants receive one inch of water per week, including rainfall. If you need to provide supplemental water, using a soaker hose or drip irrigation is ideal.
Cucamelons are ripe when the size of a large grape, or about 1 inch long. Harvest ripe cucamelons regularly as they can self-seed: harvesting regularly and picking up any dropped fruit will prevent unwanted cucamelon plants from emerging the following season.
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.
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Cucumber plants will cross, while cucamelon plants will produce true seed. Numerous health benefits – Cucamelons are rich in Lycopenes (a heart improving antioxidant), beta carotene (helps to maintain eye health and young skin), minerals, and vitamin K, E, C and fiber.
But is it safe for them to eat? The answer is yes, with a couple of precautions. First, seeds could cause an intestinal blockage, so make sure you remove them. It's also a good idea to remove the rind because it can cause gastrointestinal upset.