Horned melon (Kiwano)

Horned melon, or kiwano, has a spiky orange rind that hides a bright green, jelly-like interior studded with edible seeds. It is most often halved and scooped out with a spoon like a passionfruit, with a flavor often described as a cross between cucumber, banana, and lime. Because the pulp is quite liquid and seedy, it is popular as a garnish, spooned over yogurt or salads, blended into smoothies and cocktails, or used as an edible bowl for fruit salad. The hollowed-out shell also makes a striking, edible serving vessel for a sorbet or a small fruit cup at a dinner party.

Choose kiwano that has turned deep orange, since green or yellow fruit is underripe, and store it at room temperature to ripen further or refrigerate once cut and wrap it well, since the exposed pulp dries out quickly. At 44 calories per 100 grams and just 2 mg of sodium, it is a low-calorie way to add texture and visual interest to a fruit plate or drink, contributing a modest 10% of the daily value for magnesium along with 1.78 grams of protein per 100 grams. Its assertive, tart flavor means a little goes a long way as an accent rather than a fruit eaten on its own in large quantities.