“Cucamelons” Are a Bite-Size Combination of Cucumbers and Melons

Not many foods can call themselves both delicious and cute, but the cucamelon is one that’ll make you go “awww.” Native to Mexico and Central America, it’s a type of miniature cucumber—about the size of a grape. From certain angles, however, you might think these veggies were full-sized watermelons.

The cucamelon, despite the latter half of its name, tastes more like a cucumber than a melon and has a slightly sour tang that’s akin to a pickle. Thanks to this flavor profile, they’ve earned the nickname Mexican sour gherkins or more adorably, mouse melon.

You can find cucamelons at farmers markets or even grow them on your own—they sprout on a vine and blossom easily. Afterwards, they’ll make a great addition to summer salads, like this recipe that features the cucamelon with sliced radish and red wine vinegar.

Above photo credit: @hollyexley_illustration

Cucamelon and radish salad
Photo credit: Wanderlust & Food Stuff

Photo credit: @farmersmarketfairy

Photo credit: @cathlinstar

Photo credit: @neckerheadchef

Photo credit: @growingbacktoeden

Photo credit: @swordfern

via [Bright Side, The Huffington Post]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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