Known as the cucamelon, Mexican sour gherkin or mouse melon, they are the size of grapes. “These little beauties are fresh, juicy, with a tinge of sour, succulent flavour and taste like cucumbers,” says Sangita Sharma. It is also a prolific fruiter, she says, and the delicate vines can be grown on a trellis or borders. As they are delicious and crunchy with the peel, she explains that the versatile produce “can be used in salads, pickled or sautéed”.
Grow it right: These heritage seeds are available at Annadana, Bengaluru. Write to seedsavers@annadana-india.org
Sangita Sharma is a hands-on sustainable farmer who founded Annadana Agro Ecology Knowledge farm centres in Bengaluru and the Western Ghats
