Introducing Kiwano!

So I recently stumbled up on a fruit called Kiwano, also known as the Horned Melon.  It is native to South Africa, and is part of the cucumber family.  So I immediately started doing research on Kiwano and how to raise the fruit. 

The plant, pictured below, is very prolific.  It will spread fast and is on a running vine.  The fruit is green, and when ready to each it is yellow.  It can be harvested when it is green.  The fruit has spikes on the outside, and even the vines has thorns.

The fruit is very healthy and is perfect in making smoothies, and drinks.  You can even just cut it open like the above picture and just take a spoon and scoup out the center.  The center is very much like jelly, and if the concept of eating seeds is not appealing, then it may bother you.  Don't let the description fool you, this fruit if very tasty.  When I tried it, it tasted more like a banana with a hint of cucumber.

The fruit is expensive, just one Kiwano here in Seattle, WA was $4.00.  Now La Gonave has the perfect climate and conditions to grow Kiwano.  Each plant will produce several kiwano at a time.  I do have seeds that are available and I intend on having a farmer or two grow the crop and sell it on the local market.  I think that this will be a major crop that will help the local Haitian food supply.  Check out the below nutrition facts on the Horned Melon/Kiwano.

Nutrition Facts

Horned melon (Kiwano)

Amount Per

1. 1 fruit (4-2/3" long x 2-3/4" dia) (209 g)

   Calories 91

2. % Daily Value*
   Total Fat 2.6 g	4%
   Sodium 4 mg	0%
   Potassium 257 mg	7%
   Total Carbohydrate 16 g	5%
   Protein 3.7 g	7%

   Vitamin A	6%	Vitamin C	18%
   Calcium	2%	Iron	13%
   Vitamin B-6	5%	Magnesium	21%	Source USDA	Go Gonave!