Pepino

Pepino (Melon Pear, Sweet Cucumber, Solanum muricatum) is a shrub native to South America, where it is mainly grown and also cultivated in New Zealand.

Quite large rounded fruits weighing up to 700 g. They can vary significantly in shape and color, yellow shades predominate, sometimes with purple or violet touches. The pulp is very juicy, yellowish in color, the sweet and sour taste resembles a melon, and the aroma is something between a melon, a pumpkin and a cucumber. Small seeds in the sinuses of the pulp are edible. Pepino is used as a dessert, added to salads, sauces, it can be canned or made jam. Unripe fruits are used as regular vegetables.

Pepino is very saturated with vitamins A, B1, B2, C, PP, as well as iron, potassium pectin. Ripe can be stored in the refrigerator for several months, while unripe ones can also be stored for a long time and mature.