Tiny Watermelons

Tiny watermelons

Small watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) are just as sweet and juicy as large watermelons and they're small enough to easily fit in the refrigerator. Here are 10 compact, small watermelons to plant in your garden.

What plant looks like a tiny watermelon?

Cross a cucumber and a watermelon and what do you get? Probably nothing in real life but the small cucurbit Melothria scabra fits that bill. This herbaceous climber in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae) is grown for its tiny edible fruit that looks just like a miniature striped watermelon.

Are mouse melons edible?

The little fruits look like tiny, grape-sized watermelons but have a zingy taste more like a cross between a cucumber and a lemon or lime. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, so adding cucamelons to your diet can really improve your overall health.

Are there tiny watermelons?

Variety Overview Mini watermelons are about the size of a cantaloupe or smaller. They're sweet, crisp and very juicy. Their flesh varies from deep pink to deep red.

Do mini watermelons taste different?

During our tastings we learned that the larger melons actually have a much more pronounced “watermelon” flavor. Sweeter, richer and with a fuller body, larger melons have a flavor that lasts longer on the tongue. In comparison, the smaller melons had a milder, less noticeable or intense flavor.

What is the difference between mini watermelon and regular watermelon?

Mini watermelons are round in shape, but their size is much smaller than the big picnic types of watermelons. They can be as small as 1 pound and up to about 7 pounds. The rinds are dark green with light green stripes and the shape is either round or slightly elongated. Mini watermelons are seedless.

What are tiny watermelons called?

Cucamelons are grape-sized fruits that look like Lilliputian watermelons but taste like cucumbers. They are native to Mexico and Central America, where they go by nicknames such as sandita (“little watermelon”) or sandía ratón (“mouse melon”).

Are cucamelons worth growing?

Very rarely, you might find cucamelons at the farmers' market, but they can fetch up to $20 a pound! The price alone makes it worth growing cucamelons for yourself. They're an easy crop; the vines are very productive, and they're rarely troubled by the many insects and diseases that plague cucumbers.

What is a cucamelon taste like?

It's a grape-sized fruit that grows on vines, also known as the Mexican sour gherkin or Melothria scabra. It looks like a baby watermelon outside – but more like a cucumber inside, as you can see in the picture above. It tastes like a cucumber, but a bit sweeter, maybe with a hint of lime – nothing like a watermelon.

Are immature watermelons edible?

While all cucurbits start out with white seeds, watermelons are the only ones with seeds that can then change into various colors. Despite the childhood myth that swallowing watermelon seeds will cause you to grow a watermelon inside your stomach, all watermelon seeds—mature and immature—are perfectly edible.

Is mini watermelon genetically modified?

There is no such thing as a GMO watermelon. Instead, seedless watermelons are hybrid plants that are created by cross-pollinating a male watermelon with a female watermelon flower.

What does a sugar baby watermelon look like?

Today we're gonna look at this. Guy on the right side right here. I do have a pumpkin and a squash

Do mini watermelons need to be refrigerated?

Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact.

How do you know when a mini watermelon is ripe?

Do a thump test. A ripe watermelon should have a deep hollow sound when you thump the rind with your hand, similar to a knock on the door. An unripe melon will have a more high-pitched resonance, whereas an overripe melon will sound more like a thud.

How do you eat mini watermelon?

One of the best ways to eat mini watermelon cucumbers is to pop them in your mouth, one after the other. But if you're looking for a twist on your usual salad, they're the perfect crunchy addition. So – in an effort to make lunchtime just a little bit cuter – we sliced them into a special salad with heirloom tomatoes.

What is the healthiest watermelon to eat?

To load up on lycopene, choose a melon with bright red flesh rather than yellow or orange. And the riper, the better. Also, seedless melon tends to have more lycopene than those with seeds.

How long does a mini watermelon stay good for?

They last longer than cut wedges of a large watermelon. But once cut, its shelf life drops to just three to four days.

Where do mini watermelons grow?

Watermelon plants require full sun, rich soil, consistent watering and good drainage. They require a long, warm growing season, but they can be grown in the North with some accommodations: Cover the soil with plastic to help it heat up, and place floating row covers over young plants to trap warm air around them.

Can you eat Cucamelons?

Cucamelons can be eaten raw right off the vine or used in more creative ways. With their sour flavor, cucamelons can be great additions to salsas, salads and cocktails.

Why are square watermelons not edible?

The cube shape of the watermelon can only be achieved at the expense of its contents. To retain the proper shape, cube melons must be harvested before they are ripe, rendering them inedible. Since the advent of the cube watermelon, other watermelon shapes have been introduced, such as hearts and pyramids.