Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

2020-2021 School Year

Click here for the January FFVP Menu + Activities 

January 19-22: Kiwano (Horned Melon) 

Are you ready to try something exciting this week?! Kiwanos are fun and funky looking fruit covered in horn-like spines – which give the fruit their nickname of horned melon. The fruit originated from the Kalahari Desert in Africa and are adapted to warm, dry climates. The fruit’s inner flesh, which contains edible seeds, is very hydrating and high in protein compared to other fruit. People have compared the taste of kiwano to kiwi, banana, and even cucumber! What do you think your kiwano tastes like?

To store and eat your kiwano: Store kiwanos at room temperature. Kiwanos are ripe and ready to eat when bright golden orange. To eat, cut off spikes and slice into rounds (the skin and seeds are edible) or cut in half and spoon out aloe-like inside.

Learn more about kiwanos:

• Learn how kiwano seeds compare to other produce seeds in this lesson
• Color a kiwano plant
• Try a new recipe with kiwano, like a smoothie or salad