Kiwano Horned Melon

 

As part of our ongoing culinary experiments, I couldn't resist when I saw a Kiwano Horned Melon at our local grocery store. At over $5 for a single piece of fruit many would consider it prohibitively expensive by western standards, but I'm sure an exotic piece fruit from New Zealand during their winter would be prove difficult to get to South-central Texas ripe and ready to eat.

Of course, “ready to eat” may prove to be a stretch for some folks. There's no getting around it: the inside of the horned melon looks and feels like plant boogers. Bravely, I scooped a full spoonful and ate it. My brain told me that it was fruit, but my mouth told me that I definitely must have coughed up something. Although it tastes mildly like cucumber, I had to “chew” on it for a surprisingly long time before I could convince my throat that it was time to swallow. The only texture I could find in the fruit was from the seeds, and when I looked it up online after eating, many sites I visited said most folks recommend trying not eating them. I thought this made about as much sense as washing your hands with soap and trying not to make bubbles- its not going to happen.

I did, however, find that a large chunk of horned melon is a great way to get people to to avoid you. I saw a few faces poking around the edge of the corner, but as soon as I offered to share they'd all quickly disappear once again.

In the end, I don't think I can really recommend the Kiwano Horned Melon. Although I managed to eat a large portion of it, I eventually succumbed to the texture as well, and that's saying something! For the price, its just too weird to physically eat and there are many other exotic fruits that are just as weird but much, much more palatable. Cheers!