Horned melon
| Horned melon | |
|---|---|
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| Cucumis metuliferus fruit | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus: | Cucumis |
| Species: | C. metuliferus |
| Binomial name | |
|
Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey |
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| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 183 kJ (44 kcal) |
|
7.56 g
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1.26 g
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1.78 g
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| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A equiv. |
(1%)
7 μg
(1%)
88 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(2%)
0.025 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(1%)
0.015 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(4%)
0.565 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
(4%)
0.183 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(5%)
0.063 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(1%)
3 μg |
| Vitamin C |
(6%)
5.3 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(1%)
13 mg |
| Iron |
(9%)
1.13 mg |
| Magnesium |
(11%)
40 mg |
| Manganese |
(2%)
0.039 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(5%)
37 mg |
| Potassium |
(3%)
123 mg |
| Sodium |
(0%)
2 mg |
| Zinc |
(5%)
0.48 mg |
| Other constituents | |
| Water | 88.97 g |
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| Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
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Cucumis metuliferus, horned melon or kiwano, also African horned cucumber or melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd, melano, in the southeastern United States, blowfish fruit, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae. Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon". Ripe fruit has yellow-orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh with a tart taste, and texture similar to a cucumber.C. metuliferus is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is now grown in California, Mississippi, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.
C. metuliferus is a traditional food plant in Africa. Along with the Gemsbok cucumber (Acanthosicyos naudinianus) and Tsamma (Citron melon) it is one of the few sources of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert. In northern Zimbabwe it is called gaka or gakachika, and is primarily used as a snack or salad, and rarely for decoration. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but when overripened, will burst forcefully to release seeds.
The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of cucumber and zucchini or a combination of banana, cucumber and lemon. It is also said to taste like an unripe, watered-down banana. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavor. Some also eat the peel, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. The fruit can be used in cooking, but when eaten raw, most suck out the pulp and spit out the seeds.
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Wikipedia