Pepino

+Description

The pepino is related to the solanaceae family, that includes potato, aubergine and other products. Pepino is native to Andean regions of Colombia, Peru and Chile. The fruit is round or oval shaped. The color of the thin skin is yellow or greenish with reddish brown spots or stripes. The flesh is yellow, juicy and soft. Pepino has a sweet flavour and tastes like melon and pear. The centre of the fruit contains many flat, round, edible seeds.

+Availability

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Pepinos are available from Ecuador

+Main nutrients

Fiber, Vitamin A, B and C.

Main varieties

Pepino

Pepino is low in calories and rich in fiber and antioxidants. The fruit is believed to promote healty and firm skin.
View Pepino

Preparation

Cut the fruit vertically into two halves. From here, either cut the halves into watermelon-like slices, or scoop out the two white fleshy halves with a spoon. The skin is commonly not eaten.

Consumption

In South Africa the fruit is mainly eaten as dessert. However pepino tastes delicious at every hour of the day and can be easily eaten out-of-hand. Pepino is often used in fruit salads, sauces or eaten with meat, fish or ice-cream. The skin is normally not eaten.

When to eat

A ripe pepino is creamy yellow and feels soft. Keep ripe pepinos refrigerated and consume within a few days.

Did you know?

The name pepino was given by a Spanish explorer who saw the fruit in Peru.The word "pepino" is Spanish for cucumber.
Pepino is also called Apple-melon or Melon-pear, due to its taste.