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{{nutritionalvalue | name=Horned Melon, raw | kJ=183| water=88.97 g | protein=1.78 g | fat=1.26 g | ash=0.44 g | carbs=7.56 g | | calcium_mg=13 | iron_mg=1.13 | magnesium_mg=40 | phosphorus_mg=37 | potassium_mg=123 | sodium_mg=2 | zinc_mg=0.48 | copper_mg=0.020 | manganese_mg=0.039 | vitC_mg=5.3 | thiamin_mg=0.025 | riboflavin_mg=0.015 | niacin_mg=0.565 | pantothenic_mg=0.183 | vitB6_mg=0.063 | folate_ug=3 | vitA_ug=7 | betacarotene_ug=88 | | note=[http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list?qlookup=09451&format=Full Link to USDA Database entry] | source_usda=1 }}
{{nutritionalvalue | name=Horned Melon, raw | kJ=183| water=88.97 g | protein=1.78 g | fat=1.26 g | ash=0.44 g | carbs=7.56 g | | calcium_mg=13 | iron_mg=1.13 | magnesium_mg=40 | phosphorus_mg=37 | potassium_mg=123 | sodium_mg=2 | zinc_mg=0.48 | copper_mg=0.020 | manganese_mg=0.039 | vitC_mg=5.3 | thiamin_mg=0.025 | riboflavin_mg=0.015 | niacin_mg=0.565 | pantothenic_mg=0.183 | vitB6_mg=0.063 | folate_ug=3 | vitA_ug=7 | betacarotene_ug=88 | | note=[http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list?qlookup=09451&format=Full Link to USDA Database entry] | source_usda=1 }}


'''''Cucumis metuliferus''''', '''horned melon''' or '''kawanoion''', 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 (anatomy)|horn]]-like [[spine (botany)|spines]], hence the name "horned melon". Ripe fruit has yellow-orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh with a tart taste, and [[texture (food)|texture]] similar to a cucumber. ''C. metuliferus'' is native to [[Africa]], and is now grown in [[California]], [[Mississippi]], [[Chile]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]].
'''''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 (anatomy)|horn]]-like [[spine (botany)|spines]], hence the name "horned melon". Ripe fruit has yellow-orange skin and lime green, jelly-like flesh with a tart taste, and [[texture (food)|texture]] similar to a cucumber. ''C. metuliferus'' is native to [[Africa]], and is now grown in [[California]], [[Mississippi]], [[Chile]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]].


''C. metuliferus'' is a traditional food plant in Africa, and has potential to improve nutrition and food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land use.<ref>{{cite book |authorlink= |author=National Research Council |editor= |others= |title=Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits |url=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11879 |accessdate=2008-07-17 |edition= |series=Lost Crops of Africa |volume=3 |date=2008-01-25 |publisher=National Academies Press |location= |isbn=978-0-309-10596-5 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Horned Melon |chapterurl=http://books.nap.eduh /openbook.php?record_id=11879&page=89 |quote= |ref= }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2011}} Along with the Gemsbok cucumber (''[[Acanthosicyos naudinianus]])'', it is the only source of water during the dry season in the [[Kalahari Desert]].<ref name="setvkhalagadi">{{fr icon}} ''Parc de Khal-agadi, pas si désert'', in [[Science & Vie]] n° 1130, November 2011, pp. 18-21.</ref> In [[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.<ref>"[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dehisce]"</ref>
''C. metuliferus'' is a traditional food plant in Africa, and has potential to improve nutrition and food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land use.<ref>{{cite book |authorlink= |author=National Research Council |editor= |others= |title=Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits |url=http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11879 |accessdate=2008-07-17 |edition= |series=Lost Crops of Africa |volume=3 |date=2008-01-25 |publisher=National Academies Press |location= |isbn=978-0-309-10596-5 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Horned Melon |chapterurl=http://books.nap.eduh /openbook.php?record_id=11879&page=89 |quote= |ref= }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2011}} Along with the Gemsbok cucumber (''[[Acanthosicyos naudinianus]])'', it is the only source of water during the dry season in the [[Kalahari Desert]].<ref name="setvkhalagadi">{{fr icon}} ''Parc de Khal-agadi, pas si désert'', in [[Science & Vie]] n° 1130, November 2011, pp. 18-21.</ref> In [[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.<ref>"[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dehisce]"</ref>

Revision as of 18:08, 30 October 2014

Horned melon
Cucumis metuliferus fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Cucurbitales
Family:
Cucurbitaceae
Genus:
Cucumis
Species:
C. metuliferus
Binomial name
Cucumis metuliferus
Horned Melon, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy183 kJ (44 kcal)
7.56 g
1.26 g
1.78 g
Vitamins and minerals
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
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
4%
0.063 mg
Folate (B9)
1%
3 μg
Vitamin C
6%
5.3 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
1%
13 mg
Copper
2%
0.020 mg
Iron
6%
1.13 mg
Magnesium
10%
40 mg
Manganese
2%
0.039 mg
Phosphorus
3%
37 mg
Potassium
4%
123 mg
Sodium
0%
2 mg
Zinc
4%
0.48 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water88.97 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[1] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[2]

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 Africa, and is now grown in California, Mississippi, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.

C. metuliferus is a traditional food plant in Africa, and has potential to improve nutrition and food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land use.[3][failed verification] Along with the Gemsbok cucumber (Acanthosicyos naudinianus), it is the only source of water during the dry season in the Kalahari Desert.[4] In 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.[5]

The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of cucumber and zucchini[6] or a combination of banana, cucumber and lemon.[7] 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.[citation needed] The fruit can be used in cooking, but when eaten raw, most suck out the pulp and spit out the seeds.

Despite the fruit's colorful appearance, it has not found any significant uses in Western cuisine, and has been called "astringent", and the prices "exorbitant".[8]

References

  1. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  2. ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). "Chapter 4: Potassium: Dietary Reference Intakes for Adequacy". In Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). pp. 120–121. doi:10.17226/25353. ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  3. ^ National Research Council (2008-01-25). "Horned Melon". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Lost Crops of Africa. Vol. 3. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10596-5. Retrieved 2008-07-17. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Template:Fr icon Parc de Khal-agadi, pas si désert, in Science & Vie n° 1130, November 2011, pp. 18-21.
  5. ^ "[1]"
  6. ^ "Kiwano: It's what's inside that counts", The Seattle Times.
  7. ^ "Let's discover some more little-known fruits", Deseret News.
  8. ^ Elizabeth Schneider. Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini. William Morrow. p. 345. ISBN 0-688-15260-0.
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