Cucamelon recipes are a treat! Also known as Mexican Sour Gherkins, Mexican Miniature Watermelons, and Watermelon Cucumbers -- they're delicious marinated in Ponzu sauce with a bit of heat. A perfect refreshing, light and flavorful side or snack.
The first time I laid eyes on these Cucamelons, I thought they were teeny-tiny watermelons. It's no wonder some refer to them as Mexican Miniature Watermelons.
At first glance they're super cute -- and when you take a closer look, maybe even slice one in half, they're truly exquisite.
What are Cucamelons?
- As I mentioned, they're also referred to as Mexican Sour Gherkins, Mexican Miniature Watermelons and Watermelon Cucumbers.
- More or less the size of grapes, they're in season in August and September, and are a considered a delicacy in central America and Mexico, where they are native.
- Even though it sounds like it, these cute fruits are not a hybrid of a watermelon and a cucumber. They are a fruit that grows on a vine called Melothria Scabra, and have been around for centuries.
- A more vibrant green inside than other cucumber varieties, and a wide range of green hues blended into soft stripes on the outside.
- Cucamelon recipes are quite healthy because these babies (pun intended) are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. And of course, they are low in calories, too.
What do Cucamelons/Mexican Sour Gherkins taste like?
Despite the name, they are only a tiny bit sour -- subtly lemony. They're also a bit sweet, and have a fantastic crunch. More than anything though, they taste like a cucumber.
Where to buy them?
During their season (August and September) your best bet is at your local Farmers Markets, and maybe in the specialty section of the produce department.
You can also order cucamelon seeds from a variety of places including here.
Cucamelon Recipes
These beautiful cuties make for an excellent snack, a superb crunch in a salad, divine pickled in a jar -- and perfect marinated in Ponzu!
Here's another cucamelon recipe you might enjoy. In this one they're actually fried!
What is Ponzu sauce?
- Ponzu sauce is a Japanese citrus based sauce or marinade -- it's deliciously sweet, sour, salty, and bitter all at once.
- The ingredients in Ponzu sauce are typically: a citrus called Yuzu, rice wine vinegar, bonito flakes, and seaweed. (I used a few of these and lime juice instead of the Yuzu.)
Recipe Tips
- You can use the ingredients in my recipe to make the Yuzu sauce, or you can purchase a prepared one.
- If lime isn't your favorite, you can use lemon instead.
- I like this best after about 30 minutes of marinating time -- however, it will still be delicious even the next day.
Enjoy!
Ponzu-Marinated Cucamelon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces Cucamelons
- pinch dry chili flakes
Instructions
- To make the Ponzu, in a small mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, soy sauce, vinegar, Mirin and salt. Set aside.
- Slice the Cucamelons in half, lengthwise, and add them to the bowl. Mix them to be sure they're all well coated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, and up to an hour.
- Sprinkle with chili flakes when you're ready to serve.
NOTES
NUTRITION
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2pots2cook
Love so much when something new pops out ! I will definitely have to look at the stands more carefully..... who knows, maybe I'll be surprised to find some over here. Also, thank you for the ideas how to prepare these babies, once found !
valentina
I hope you find them where you are! Thank you. 🙂 ~Valentina
David
What a refreshing salad or appetizer this would make! They are cute, but they are also tasty!
valentina
Yes, so cute & tasty!
valentina
I could just look at them, they're so adorable. 😉
Coco in the Kitchen
Ponzu is great. Pour some on my shoe and I'd eat it!
These are the cutest li'l things!
I've gotta get my hands on some, V.
valentina
Colette - you are too funny. Don't eat shoes! 😉 I bet your little one would love these.
Ash-foodfashionparty
You have no idea how happy I am to see this on your blog. I love love watermelon cucumbers, this is a completely new recipe to me. We make a dry spicy side out of this vegetable and it is a tedious job to chop em' up, but I never get tired of chopping my favorite vegetable. Thanks for sharing.
valentina
Let me know if you post your spicy side of the cucumbers -- I bet it's amazingly delicious! 🙂
Deb
We're still screaming summer sunshine here with lots of fantastic ripe cucumbers that are in need of a refreshing recipe. Thank you for sharing this recipe that is just bursting with bright flavor!
valentina
Thank you Deb, for your sunny, bright comments. 🙂
Irina @ wandercrush
These are so beautiful! I've never even seen such cucumbers before. Ah and I love a good Asian pickle recipe... perhaps my cukes will not be so exotic, but this recipe will definitely be going in my repertoire.
valentina
Thanks so much, Irina. 🙂
Jennifer
I've never heard of them before. They're so cute! And I bet, like you said, they'd make exquisite pickles. I want them!
valentina
If you pickle them, let me know how you like them. Enjoy! 🙂
Cathy @ She Paused 4 Thought
I bought some of those at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market and didn't know what to do with them, so I just ate them raw on a salad. Next time I see them I will try your recipe. 🙂
valentina
Hope you enjoy! 🙂
sippitysup
Get out. I totally think those are tiny watermelons. GREG
valentina
you crack me up Greg! 😀