| Horned melon | |
|---|---|
| Cucumis metuliferus fruit | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Cucumis |
| Species: | C. metuliferus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey |
|
The horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus), also called African horned cucumber or melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd, English tomato, melano, kiwano, or cherie, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family. It is considered to be the ancestor of the other cultivated melons. Often known by its nickname in the southeastern United States, blowfish fruit, it is grown for its fruit, which looks like an oval melon with horn-like spines. The fruit of this plant is edible, but it is used as often for decoration as for food. When ripe, it has a yellow-orange skin and a lime green jelly-like flesh with a tart taste, and texture similar to a cucumber. The horned melon is native to Africa, and it is now grown in California, Chile, Australia and New Zealand as well.[1]
In Zimbabwe, this cucumber is called 'gaka' or 'gakachika' and it is primarily used as a fruit-snack, salad, and, rarely, for decoration. It is eaten young, mature green, or when ripe - bright yellow/orange (i.e., at any stage of its development). It grows naturally in the fields and also in the bush. However, some people leave some to rot in the fields for next summer seeds/plants. Its taste has been compared to a combination of cucumber and zucchini[2] or a combination of banana, cucumber and lemon.[3] Some eat the peel as well. The fibrous structure and protein composition of the peel provides for a taste and texture similar to the plantain family. It has a replica that does not have horns, but looks and tastes similar. The seeds are covered in a gelatin-like substance. The skin is very rich in vitamin C and fiber. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavor. The fruit can be used in cooking, but when eaten raw, most suck out the pulp and spit out the seeds, although eating the skin and/or the seeds is also known.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 183 kJ (44 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 7.56 g |
| Fat | 1.26 g |
| Protein | 1.78 g |
| Water | 88.97 g |
| Vitamin A equiv. | 7 μg (1%) |
| - beta-carotene | 88 μg (1%) |
| Thiamine (vit. B1) | 0.025 mg (2%) |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) | 0.015 mg (1%) |
| Niacin (vit. B3) | 0.565 mg (4%) |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.183 mg (4%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.063 mg (5%) |
| Folate (vit. B9) | 3 μg (1%) |
| Vitamin C | 5.3 mg (6%) |
| Calcium | 13 mg (1%) |
| Iron | 1.13 mg (9%) |
| Magnesium | 40 mg (11%) |
| Manganese | 0.039 mg (2%) |
| Phosphorus | 37 mg (5%) |
| Potassium | 123 mg (3%) |
| Sodium | 2 mg (0%) |
| Zinc | 0.48 mg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
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A traditional food plant in Africa, this fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[4] Along with the Gemsbok cucumber, it is the only source of water during the dry season in the Kalahari desert.[5] Despite the fruit's colorful appearance, it has not found any significant uses in Western cusine, and has been called "astringent", and the prices "exorbitant". [6]
In terms of chemical makeup it is similar to others in the family Cucurbitaceae.
The Fruit appeared in an episode of Friends; "The One Where Ross Dates a Student".[7] In the episode "Awakened" in the second season of Charmed, it appeared as a carrier of the tsetse fly that bit Piper.