Cucumis metuliferus

Or horned melon, spiked melon, or kiwano, also African horned cucumber or melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd, melano 😊 oh my….have you ever seen or taste a fruit like this?

Of course that when I saw it at the supermarket I need to buy and taste it 😊

It is from the cucumber and melon family and it should taste a combination between banana and passionfruit, or banana, cucumber and lime. It is native to Sub-Saharan Africa but now it seems that is grown in the United States, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. Honestly in Italy I have never seen it.

Well for me it tasted of nothing, honestly. I couldn’t compare it with anything. I did not feel the banana or passionfruit maybe a little bit of cucumber taste. The flesh is refreshing and watery though.

But is a very interesting and fierce looking fruit with this horn like spines 😊

Also it is a traditional food plant in Africa, being one of the few sources of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert. They use it primarily as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but when overripened, will burst forcefully to release seeds.

I’m always looking for new flavours 😊😋

Happy 1st June everyone! 🌸🌸

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Photo credit: Popsicle Society-Kiwano
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Photo credit: Popsicle Society-Kiwano
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Photo credit: Popsicle Society-Kiwano

 

 

 

35 responses to “Cucumis metuliferus”

  1. stelorafedie101blog Avatar

    Wow! I was intrigued when I first saw it. however I was not able to taste it. Great sharing!

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Thank you 😊 Yes, interesting fruit 😊🤪

  2. jyoti107 Avatar

    I also want to try it….😀

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Interesting fruit 😊

      1. jyoti107 Avatar

        😊😁

  3. MyPower24/7 Avatar

    Passion fruit something similar. 😊 Never saw them in Australia.

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Passion fruit is very flavorful compared with this 😊😉

      1. MyPower24/7 Avatar

        I will try it if I will see it in shops, thank you 😊

  4. Travel Gourmet Avatar

    I’ve never seen one but interesting to hear about it. I feel with all those spikes it ought to have a strong flavour!

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      I thought too that will be flavorful but is more watery 😉

  5. betty11 Avatar

    That fruit looks really interesting! Have a nice month!🌷😁😁

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Yes 😊 thank you Betty! Wish you a lovely month too 🌸🌸

  6. blindzanygirl Avatar
    blindzanygirl

    Happy 1st of June Ribana. Wow, that fruit sounds weird! I wouldn’t know whether to eat it or fight it lol

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      🤪🤪🤪 true Lorraine…interesting fruit 😉 Wish you a lovely June 🌸🌸🌸🤗🤗😘

  7. Huguette Avatar

    Oh wow! This is something new 😋too bad it’s not as tasty as it looks! I love both passion fruit and melon, not a cucumber fan unless it’s pickled 😊
    But it’s worth trying if I ever find it in our market 😊
    Have a lovely weekend 💕😊

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Yes, a little disappointed for the flavor but good if you’re thirsty 😉 I love passion fruit too, melon not too much but watermelon 🍉 yes…of course pickled cucumber 🥒 😉😋 I have only see it and bought it once here in the supermarket too…Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🤗🤗🌸🌸

      1. Huguette Avatar

        Melon is one of my favorite fruits 😊 much more than watermelon 🍉
        Pickles are always home made and always available since we were kids 😊
        My weekend is good, hope your is great as well 🤗🤗❤️❤️

      2. popsiclesociety Avatar

        Same here, I remember when I was little my grandma used to do a lot of pickles…oh I loved it…much more than all the marmalades or fruit compotes 😉🤪😋 Nowadays I buy my pickles 😊

      3. Huguette Avatar

        Guess always loved both marmalades and pickles 😁 Nowadays my mother still make them so I never buy them gladly 😊 hope your Sunday is great 💕

      4. popsiclesociety Avatar

        Lucky you 😊💕

      5. Huguette Avatar

        😊😊💕💕 when I go to Italy my bag will be full of pickles and makdousssss 😁😁😁

      6. popsiclesociety Avatar

        Yayyyyyyy 😁😁😁💕💕 Cannot wait….but you’ll need to let me know in time so that I can plan my trip too 🙂

      7. Huguette Avatar

        ohhh don’t worry! I might be 50 years old when I get there 😁😁😁

      8. popsiclesociety Avatar

        Nah….you’ll make it sooner 😊😊

      9. Huguette Avatar

        😁😁

  8. Tra Italia e Finlandia Avatar

    It is sold in Finland too, but I have never tried it… yet.

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Can try, maybe will be more flavorful 😋😊

  9. Maysa Rose Avatar

    Wow, that looks so interesting! I actually have never had it, but I would love to try it. 🙂

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Me either until now 🤪 good when you’re thirsty 😉

  10. Shantanu Baruah Avatar

    Never heard of this. Beautiful

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Thank you 😊 It is an interesting fruit!

  11. Megala Avatar

    Very unique fruit with unique skin & unique flesh. 🙂

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Indeed 😊 I think I bought it just for curiosity 😊

  12. TheMysteriousBlogger Avatar

    Interesting post …

    1. popsiclesociety Avatar

      Interesting fruit 🙂 Thank you 🙂

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I’m Ribana

Welcome to my journey of food, travel and inspiration. I love traveling, cooking and enjoying this beautiful nature. I am a nutritionist, pastry chef, recipe developer, food writer, and ultimately a passionate home cook. I curate and develop recipes that are high on nutrition. I develop and test cost effective, nutritious meals using quality ingredients to help people improve their everyday eating experiences.

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