Seasonal produce perplex no cute than the cucamelon . These adorably dinky vegetable have been popping up during the past calendar month atfarmers markets , where they ’re also sell as mouse melons or Mexican sour gherkin .
Looking like a miniature oval melon vine with watermelon markings , cucamelons mob a fresh , zesty taste and work great in salad , as a snack , or even sprucing up a gin and tonic .
Cucamelons have also recently charmedSam Corfield , a Fannie Merritt Farmer free-base in Cornwall in the United Kingdom who beget his start working at the famous Lost Gardens of Heligan . Corfield runs an Instagram account under the tremendous handle ofThe Hairy Horticulturist . It ’s packed with cucamelon photos and info — so we asked him about the descent of the produce , the unspoilt ways to incorporate it in recipes and his tips for growing cucamelons at dwelling house .
Where Do Cucamelons Come From?
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“ Cucamelons are apparently from Mexico , ” say Corfield . “ Although a Mexican lady once secernate me she had never seen them in her life ! But I suppose they can be found across South America . ” He adds that cucamelons are a “ pretty hardy ” vegetable , one that ’s glad in high heat energy conditions with minimum watering .
What Do Cucamelons Taste Like?
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The name cucamelon is n’t just a cutesy portmanteau word — it ’s also a solid description of the taste perception when you pop one in your mouth and crunch into it .
“ They mainly try like a nappy cucumber with a abrupt citrus fruit taste , ” describe Corfield , who say that in some cases people find fault up slight bitter notes that can identify the cucamelon in the “ love them or hate them ” family .
Meet the Hairy Horticulturist
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The backstory to Corfield ’s Hairy Horticulturist persona is simple : “ I ’ve got a beard , and it sound catchy ! If people remember it , then it mean they ’re suppose and talking about growing produce . ”
sum up his foreign mission , Corfield says , “ Helping people grow with a wind of humour is what I ’m here for . ”
What Can You Do With Cucamelons?
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Cucamelons are perfect to snack on throughout the day — their high yield also means you need n’t hold in back on munching through a punnet . They work great slice in one-half and supply to a salad , will pep up stir nestling and are a piece of cake to pickle . you could also sprain cucamelons into a undimmed salsa .
Beyond cook with cucamelons , Corfield also recommend “ slicing the little guys in half and pop them into a gin . ” Cheers to that .
Tips on Growing Cucamelons
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If you require to try growing cucamelons yourself , Corfield recommends using a “ dry waterless commixture of soil ” and says “ indoor growing provides immense fruit , but I also farm outside [ in the U.K. ] with slap-up success . ”
Corfield says the cucamelon is an adventurous craw : “ Give them space to climb ! Do n’t be afraid to allow them go everywhere — I’ve had them in amongst tomatoes before . ”
From Cucamelons to Mini Melons
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Beyond harvest home cucamelons , Corfield say he has lately become an “ avid melon vine agriculturist and sniffer . ” His current speciality is “ a small cantaloupe type call Minnesota Midget , which is sweet , modest and accommodate perfectly as private servings on a plate .
“ If you ’re wonder about the melon vine sniffing , ” he adds , “ it ’s the best way to check for ripeness , and not a unknown fetish . ”
you’re able to follow The Hairy Horticulturist at hisInstagramaccount .
