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Melothria scabra, also known as Mouse Melon, Mexican Sour Gherkin or the delightful Cucamelon, a portmanteau of Cucumber and Watermelon.
The size of grapes and olives, cucamelons are native to Mexico and Central America, where they’re called sandita and have been grown as food crop for centuries.
Sow in April and within 2-3 months you should be getting plenty of fruit. The leaves resemble that of ivy and the vines need plenty of support as they are rampant climbers.
Taste? Thick skinned cucumbers with a definite taste of lime. Perfect on their own or tossed with some olives and peppers and a liberal dose of olive oil and seasoning.
And do you know what I reckon? Perfect in cocktails too!
Am also looking forward to pickling some of them at the end of the season.
Then, I shall dig them up, store them in the garage, ready to be planted out again next spring for an earlier crop!