Monday, August 17, 2015

Sakata's Asian Melon


Imagine a sweet melon that is crispy like the crunchiest cucumber...that's Sakata's Asian melon. It even has a hint of cucumber flavor, so you could imagine it's like a cross between a melon and a cucumber. However you think of it, you must try it.

This heirloom has been grown in Asia for thousands of years. The fruit is small, only reaching the size of a soft ball. The thin rind is smooth and pale yellow when ripe. Some people say the skin is edible, but we eat them as we do other melons and remove the rind and seeds. 

I read somewhere that they taste best if left in the refrigerator for a week after harvest so that is what we do. I'm not sure if that is necessary or not, but I can assure you that the flavor is incredibly sweet, and the crispy texture makes these a refreshing summer treat! 

4 comments:

  1. They sound great. Did you grow them vertically? Do they have outrageous vines or are they easily controlled?

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    1. Ward, I grew them on the ground and the vines then climbed the wire fence...so both on the ground and vertically. My melon patch didn't get much water and the soil is poor there so none of my melon vines were vigorous this year. The vines/leaves remind me of cantaloupe vines, about the same size, but I hesitate to say if they are easily controlled. Mine were easily controlled by our drought. haha

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  2. Wow, it has grown so perfectly. Great work. My grandma used to plant them but now we have to buy them. But quite impressed to see your work. Good job

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  3. I’m growing them for the first time and have yet to harvest any, but my vines are growing on a cattle panel and are now about 6 feet high. Leaves are about the size of a man’s hand. They are very smooth and resemble tiny greenish moons. Lovely!

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