#mousemelons

[farmertucker]

#sourgherkins #cucamelons #mousemelons (at Jackson Family Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVMIWxhPJ6p/?utm_medium=tumblr

[briarpatch-kids]

Finally getting mousemelons in the garden! We've had six so far and I'm about to pick two more in the morning for my mother in law. I always feel silly bestowing a single tiny vegetable as a gift to people, but the first few veggies from the garden are special.

[lasaltamontes]

Nuestras planticas de Cucamelon siguen creciendo❣️ #cucamelon #sandiaraton #pepinoenano #ensaladas #salads #huertaorganica #huerto #organico #garden #huertasorganicas #mihuerta #cosecha #harvest #mividaenelcampo #soberaniaalimentaria #cucumber #mousemelon #mousemelons (en El Retiro, Antioquia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0vfKlgnkI/?igshid=9be4xcp156eo

[quickchangeartist]

One of my mousemelon vines is a real overachiever, I guess it really likes that spot or something. Can't wait for the first fruits to come, so I can find out whether or not I actually like mousemelon after all of this effort to get them growing. . . . . . . . . . . . . #gardening #mousemelon #mousemelons #mousemelonvine #hangingplants #hangingharvest https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YtXglBiVa/?igshid=ayj5tkihpi6l

[seedkeeping]

Assorted plant friends I found while cleaning off the kitchen table just now. The hard frost last night brings us to the next phase of the farm year, and I'm grateful for the abundance and bounty and plenty the warm months provided us. Dreaming up and fighting for a world where every farmer has such luck and privilege. #passionflowerfruit #chinkapin #mousemelons #persimmon #ajiamarillo #pecan (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

[cookingwithkimberly]

#mousemelon or #cucamelon - in full effect! I love these little, snack-sized poppers! They taste like little cukes, and are the size of a large grape, when ready to pick. #selfsufficiency #selfreliance #permaculture #foodforest #gardening #vines #healthy #vegetarian #organic #vegan #homesteading #growingfood #kitchengarden #melon #summer #august #niagara * Subscribe to #cookingwithkimberly - http://cookingwithkimberly.com #webchefkimberly #cooking https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCRT2iH401/?utm_medium=tumblr

[nolapola]

Beer cap for scale! This one's for @shortybmmm - sliced cucamelons! At this rate, we're never going to get any pickled.. I am very aware we need to replace our cutting mat and my knives. 😅 #mousemelon #cucamelon #fromourgarden #beercapforscale #nomnom #homegrown #harvest #backyardgarden #backyardgardening https://www.instagram.com/p/CDfF3w8MujJ/?igshid=dfmd7xs9366h

[hqcreations]

first time growing #mousemelon on the #microhomestead … such an adorably weird looking #cucurbit but not as tasty as i hoped

[katiajewelbox]

Abracadabra pow! I shrank a whole harvest of watermelons to fit in a mug. Of course, I’m joking – magic has no business on a science social media page. If they aren’t magically miniaturised watermelons, then what are these tiny fruits? These tiny “watermelons” are Cucamelons (Melothria scabra), a species related to both cucumbers and melons which is found in tropical forests ranging from Mexico to Venezuela. Unlike many wild cucumber-like plants, the cucamelon fruits are sweet and edible. This plant is a specialty food crop for indigenous Central Americans and is known as the “sandita” (little watermelon) or “sandia raton” (mouse watermelon) in Spanish. While Cucamelons remain a novelty exotic vegetable, they are sometimes sold at specialty grocery stores and farmers’ markets even in the UK. Although photoshop artists have made images of Cucamelons with red flesh to bamboozle gardeners into thinking they are literally tiny watermelons, the real Cucamelon��s insides resemble a cucumber. The flesh is juicy and green, with soft edible white seeds. Cucamelons have a refreshing cucumber-like taste with a hint of citrus. Not much research is available on the nutritional or medicinal benefits, but they are a rich source of fibre, potassium, and antioxidants. They are an exciting addition to salads and an amusing finger food. I once handed out homegrown Cucamelons instead of candy at a PR event for a student organisation at Imperial College! If you’d like to try growing your own, Cucamelons are surprisingly easy to cultivate. In Northern Europe since they flourish in unheated greenhouses. The plants can be started from seed early in the spring but they do not survive frost. The vines are decorative plants with attractive star-shaped leaves, elegant tendrils, tiny yellow flowers, and striped fruits. Add some botanical magic to your plant collection and see if you can trick your friends into thinking you have a shrinking ray in your garden shed. #cucamelon #katia_plantscientist #melothriascabra #magic #melon #watermelon #cucurbitaceae #vines #greenhouseplants #cucumber #miniaturefood #growyourown #exoticvegetables #sandita #mousemelon #climbingplant #botany #cute

[gardeningknowhow]

Mexican sour gherkins - Having trouble getting your family to eat #vegetables? Why not consider unique and quirky options like #mexicansourgherkin cucumbers. Strangely enough, these little #fruits aren’t technically #cucumbers at all but carry an honorary designation due to their similarities. With its lemony flavor, adorable packaging and variety of uses, #mexicangherkins (Melothria scabra), also known as #cucamelons, #mousemelons and little #watermelons, are a great way to increase produce diversity in your home and possibly appeal to some of the picky eaters therein. Learn more about the #plant on our blog: https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/

[etherealprey]

This what it looks like inside. They're not baby #watermelons. They have the texture of a #cucumber but are #sour. . . . #mexicansourgerkins #fruit #food #foodphotography #foody #foodlovers #foodie #foodstagram #picoftheday #cucamelon #mousemelon #Melothriascabra #mexicanminiwatermelon #pepquino #vegetable #veganlife #veganfoodporn #farmersmarket #nyc #green #produce via Instagram

[wdcgardener]

Tiny cucumbers in small hands at Reevesland Learning Center in #Arlington #va #gardendc #vuas2017 #dmv #picoftheday #mexicansourgherkin #cucamelon #mousemelon #nofilter #urbanag #teachinggarden #childrensgarden (at Bluemont Park)

[briarpatch-kids]

This is what those mousemelons look like on the vine!

[panfusine]

#mousemelon and #fairytale #eggplants sautéed in a traditional#southindian #iyengar way with a special fresh made spice blend with #coriander, #chanadal , #fenugreek, #peppercorns and #curryleaf . This style of dry veggie prep is known as a #karamudhu . Recipe for the spice blend from @shanthikrishnakumar ‘s blog. #vegan #glutenfree

[quickchangeartist]

Freshly harvested mousemelons, next to the pickles I made a couple weeks before. Tasty little bite-size briney bois. . . . . . . . . . . . #pickles #pickling #cucamelon #mousemelon #homepickling #quarantinepickles https://www.instagram.com/p/CAuC1WUFm-q/?igshid=1ojomf3rtgvze

[seedkeeping]

I’ve been nervous to post lately because we cannot seem to keep up with our online orders, but I can’t hold back with these adorable babiest cuties of the cucurbit world. In case you haven’t yet had the pleasure, I introduce you to the Cucamelon! These seeds were grown for our Truelove Seeds catalog by Jane, Karen, Lorrie, and Michaela of @riseandrootfarm in Chester, NY. @michaela.chef.farmer has this to say: "My happy place. These tiny cucamelons are one of my favorites. Crunchy, tangy and so cute. Originally from Mexico and Central America where they are called Sandita (little watermelon), Melothria scabra aren’t actually cucumbers though they taste like they are." With an occasional hint of sourness, you can eat them like cucumbers: in salads, as garnishes, and as pickles. Also known as Mexican Sour Gherkin and Mouse Melon. I’ve seen mentions of the fact this plant has medicinal uses, but not which ones. The fruits are high in lycopene, beta-carotin, fiber, potassium, and vitamins E, C, and K. For those of you who are more familiar with this plant, what parts of the story are we missing? What is your favorite thing about this cutie patootie? Photos by @michaela.chef.farmer #seedkeeping #mousemelon #mexicansourgherkin #cucamelon #sandita #melothriascabra https://www.instagram.com/p/CKktmgwg8zB/?igshid=14dvzxoi3khsf