This odd-looking fruit is named for its horned spines and has a unique citrus flavor. When ripened, the fruit has a light orange and lime green skin. The inside is jelly like.
The texture of the horned melon is similar to pomegranate, but it's actually a member of the cucumber and melon family. The horned lemon dates back to Africa and it is a traditional fruit there. The Horned Melon, also called Kiwano, is high in fiber and vitamin C.
Here are three ways to introduce the horned melon into your family's diet:
- Eat straight from the fruit! The easiest way to eat is to cut in half and spoon out the pulp -- like a kiwi.
- Add to salsa for a fruity flavor.
- Use in smoothies and yogurt parfaits and homemade sorbet!
Homemade Horned Melon Sorbet
Ingredients:
- 3 frozen bananas
- 3/4 cup of lemon juice
- juice of two horned melons (see tips and tricks of de-sliming a horned melon below)
- 1 can of coconut milk
- ½ cup of sugar
Directions:
- Tip to de-slime the horned melon, use a spoon to scoop out the mixture, working your way from the rind of the fruit. Add the mixture to a colander and then, with a bowl underneath the colander to catch your juice, press the mixture with a fork to press out the juice. This process is tedious, but the juice is worth the work!
- Add the frozen bananas with the can of coconut milk to the blender/food processor.
- Mix the sugar and lemon juice with the horned melon juice.
- Add the sugar, lemon, and horned melon mixture to the food processor/blender with the bananas. Scrape down the sides of the processor/blender until mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Recipe serves four. For a tropical-like treat, serve in the shell of the horned melon.
We hope your kids will love the idea of this strange and peculiar fruit as much as our kids did! The color, the name, and the history of horned melon is a great way to broaden your kiddo's outlook and palate -- all at the same time.
