Horned melon (kiwano)

When to start

Inside, a horned melon is packed with big edible seeds, and there is no way to pick them out. That is why it is best to wait until 18 months before offering the fruit. Always buy horned melon from a trusted source. Some bitter ornamental kinds are toxic to mammals.

The fruit is also called African cucumber, jelly melon, and spiked melon. The rind, seeds, and pulp are all edible, but the part people seek out is the jelly-like inside. The taste resembles a mix of cucumber and banana, with a hint of mild kiwi. A ripe fruit has spiky rind that turns bright orange. Cut it open and the inside is bright emerald green.

Why it matters

The seeds give a little protein. The fruit contains copper, zinc, iron and vitamin C. These are important nutrients for growing children. It also has fiber. Fiber keeps the bowels moving, so it can lead to more poop.

After 18 months, serve the fruit halved. Wash the spiky rind first. Trim off any very sharp spikes and cut the fruit at its middle. Your child scoops the inside with a spoon or fingers. You can also add horned melon to smoothies. Put the green pulp in the blender, seeds and all.

Horned melon is sensitive to cold. Do not store it in the refrigerator, since it spoils faster in the cold. It keeps well outside the fridge for a long time.

The edible seeds cannot be separated from the jelly-like pulp. Many adults spit them out. The seeds are flat and thin, but wait until 18 months of age before offering horned melon. To remove the risk, crush the seeds and pulp completely in a powerful blender and make a smoothie.

Stay near your child while they eat and within reach.

Horned melon is not among the common food allergens. Some people with oral allergy syndrome, a pollen-linked reaction, may react to this fruit.

As with any new food, start with a small amount of pulp and watch your child closely. If there is no reaction, raise the amount slowly over later servings.