Kiwano

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Because horned melon is full of large edible seeds that are impossible to pick out, the fruit is best introduced after your child is 18 months old.  Always purchase horned melon from a reputable source as there are ornamental bitter varieties that are toxic to mammals.

Horned melon is also known as African cucumber, blowfish fruit, English tomato, hedged gourd, kiwano, jelly melon, and spiked melon. While all parts of the fruit are edible—rind, seeds, and pulp—the fruit is mostly sought out for its gelatinous interior, which tastes like a cross between a cucumber and mild kiwi. When ripe, the spiky fruit has a vivid orange skin, and once you cut into it, surprise! The inside is a bright emerald green.

Yes. Horned melon actually contains a fair amount of protein in the seeds, along with vitamin C, copper, iron, and zinc—all critical nutrients for growing babies. In fact, one horned melon (seeds and pulp) contains a whopping 2.4 mg of iron (22% of your baby’s daily needs) and 100% of your baby’s daily needs for omega-3 fatty acids. Hopefully, your little one won’t eat that much horned melon in one sitting, since the fruit also contains fiber, which inevitably leads to, well, poop.

It can be, because the edible seeds are impossible to separate from the jelly-like interior. (Many adults who regularly eat horned melon spit out the seeds.) Though the seeds are thin and flat, it is best to hold off on serving horned melon until your baby is 18 months or older or to eliminate the choking risk by pulverizing the seeds and flesh into a smoothie in a powerful blender.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

No—horned melon is not on the list of common food allergens. However, individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also referred to as “pollen-food syndrome”) may be sensitive to horned melon.

As with all new foods, introduce by serving a small quantity of horned melon pulp and watch closely as your baby eats. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future servings.