What is kiwano melon? ….it’s a fruit, also known as a horned melon and an African horned cucumber; it originated in Africa, but is becoming popular around the globe, mostly because of it’s interesting appearance. Check out the video to see how to eat a kiwano and, if today is payday, go ahead and pick one up at the market …it’s a pricey piece of fruit.
How to Eat Kiwano Melon
- Kiwano Melon will last several months when stored at room temperature.
- Kiwano is also called a horned melon, and an African horned cucumber.
Its taste is mild to slightly citrus with comparisons to lemon, kiwi, and cucumber. - Kiwano is a variety of melon, and grows on the ground from a vine.
- Buy a kiwano melon that is orange in color, the more orange the better.
- Unripe kiwano is hard and green, but as it ripens, it colors to yellow and then to orange.
- It is edible at any stage as it ripens. When overripe, it will burst.
- Kiwano can be sliced open and eaten raw.
- The inner pulp and seeds are edible. Kiwano has a high water content, and lots of seeds.
- Eat the fruit directly from the gourd or remove the pulp to use in a recipe.
- The decorative kiwano gourd can be incorporated in kiwano dishes.
Kiwano Melon Fun Facts
- Kiwano was used as a prop in an episode of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, staring as a “Golana Melon” from planet Golana.
- Kiwano is sometimes called “blowfish fruit” because it looks like …a blowfish.
- Because of its high water content, kiwano is prized in African desert regions.
- Some varieties of kiwano have smooth skin (also known as “boring kiwano”).
- Kiwano can be tied to the end of a stick and used to kill your enemies.
In the Northwest USA where I currently live, kiwano melon is found quite readily in local markets, but it is expensive.
At the local grocery in my neighborhood, this horned melon sells for $7.99 each. Yikes!
It’s a bit pricey, but if you have expensive tastes and like a piece of fruit that looks cool, give kiwano a try.
Or try Dragon Fruit …an equally cool and potentially overpriced piece of produce.
Thanks for Watching our Sweet Potato Recipe Video!
Click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
If you like what CG and I do, support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
We include affiliate links for products on our website. Making a purchase after clicking on our links and we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
If you’re new to home cooking, get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and start experimenting with different recipes. It’s a healthy hobby that can save a lot of money in the long run. Check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon as well as Complete Starter Spice Kits. Or try a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.
