Both names, melon and pear, indicate that we are dealing with an edible fruit. But since the melon pear is an almost unknown plant in this country, hardly anyone knows for sure how it is done. We want to change that.
When are melon pears edible?
Unripe melon pears are poisonous. Only harvest them when the peel changes color, gives slightly under pressure and smells aromatic. Flesh of ripe fruits isedible and tasty raw, but when heated it loses its flavor. Melon pears will last for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.
What does the melon pear taste like and how do I eat it correctly?
The name of the plant already reveals it: The taste of the melon pear combines theflavors of melon and pear The seeds are not edible, the peel is edible, but bitter. Therefore only the pulp is eaten. You can peel, core and chop the vitamin C-rich fruit, or spoon it like a kiwi after scraping out the seeds. Melon pears are usually eaten on their own as a snack, used as a salad ingredient or served with ham like the classic melon.
Can I store or process pear melons longer?
Ripe fruits of the melon pear, often also called pear melon or pepino, must be harvested promptly, otherwise they become mushy. In a good harvest year, it can happen that not all of the fruit can be eaten quickly. Once harvested, store them in thevegetable compartment of the refrigerator, then they will last for approx.2-3 weeks. Pepinos can be used to make long-lasting jams, but they lose a lot of flavor.
Do I have to throw away unripe melon pears?
As long as the melon pears are still unripe, they remain poisonous to us humans and are thereforenot edibleThe high solanine content canStomach cramps and nausea trigger. If there are still many unripe fruits on the plant before the onset of winter, they do not have to go to waste.
- Bringing plants into winter quarters
- Fruits can continue to ripen on it
- or harvest unripe fruit
- let ripen at room temperature
- takes a few days
How long does the melon pear harvest season last?
In this country, after pollination, it takes another 90 days until the first fruit can be harvested. Then it's alreadyend of Julyor even August. The harvest season outdoorsends with the first frost, because the melon pear from Peru is not hardy. However, the nightshade plant can overwinter indoors and bear fruit again the following year.
Tip
Increase the harvest quantity with early pinching
Flowerless side shoots are worthless for the desired harvest, but they use up energy. If you pinch them out promptly, more flowers and, as a result, more fruits will form on the remaining shoots.
