“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, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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