Bitter Melon

Description

The bitter melon, a member of the squash family, has a taste similar to bland squash but more sour. It’s shaped like a cucumber with light green skin but heavily warted. It is widely grown in tropical countries where young fruits are used as cucumbers.

Culture

It is similar to cantaloupe.

Selection

The flesh is silvery green with pale brown seeds when ripe.

Casaba

Description

The casaba is a winter melon variety with a globular shape and pointed at the stem end. The rind is chartreuse-yellow with longitudinal wrinkles but without netting. Flesh is creamy white and juicy. It averages 4 to 7 pounds.

Culture

It is similar to cantaloupe.

Selection

Flesh should be soft, creamy white, sweet and juicy. Ripeness is indicated by a yellow rind color and slight softening at the blossom end.

Winter Melon

Description

The winter melon, grown for its thick white flesh, is used for Chinese-style soup and cooking. There are tow types – round and oblong. Fruit range from 8 to 12 pounds.

Culture

This warm weather, vining crop is grown as watermelon.