The odd but likable Cucamelon...

Melothria scabra 

I'm not surprised this strange little fruit has many names...mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, cucamelon, Mexican miniature watermelon and Mexican sour cucumber...It's been a food staple south of the boarder since pre-Columbian times.

Slow to get started, I often worry it's not doing well in the beginning. This delicate little vine really takes it time getting established but then one day you discover it's one of the most vigorous and high yielding plants in the yard. Drought & pest resistant, it can grow up over 10 feet. 

So, what's the big deal? How do they taste? What do you do with them?
I often eat these right off the vine. The taste is a bit like watermelon rind and lemon cucumber. Crunchy & slightly sweet, they are great in salads, stir fry, can be pickled, canned and put into salsa. I pickled some whole last year and wasn't crazy about the result...the inside went soft while the outside stayed crunchy, making for a strange texture. This year I will try slicing them thinly, pickling and serving it like a slaw or sauerkraut. Stay tuned...

So tiny and yet...

If you are looking for something different to grow or a vine that won't take up a ton of space, try this (next year). Seeds are readily available from many good companies on line. Sew in April - May to harvest July - September.