Tree melons, including papaya and pepinos, are fruit-bearing plants native to South America. They can be found in grocery stores and grown in tropical climates. They can be used in a variety of recipes and should be selected based on their weight and appearance. Gardeners in USDA zones nine through 11 can grow tree melons with well-drained soil and a sunny spot. Papayas require a male tree for pollination.
The common name “tree melon” is used to refer to several fruit-bearing plants native to South America. Unlike real melons, these fruits aren’t produced on sprawling vines, but are flavorful with sweet, juicy flesh, just like real melons. People can sometimes find tree melons in the grocery store, especially if their grocery stores stock tropical fruits. Gardeners in tropical climates may grow tree melons from seeds or cuttings or may opt to purchase seedlings for growing from a nursery.
Papaya or Carica papaya is more commonly referred to as a tree melon. Papaya grows in clusters on tall trunks topped with palmate leaves. The fruits are yellow to orange, with a cluster of dark black seeds that will germinate readily in warm conditions. Pepinos, solanum muricatum, are also sometimes called tree melons, even though they actually grow on perennial shrubs, not trees. These fruits are small with distinctive purple stripes and yellow to creamy flesh.
Tree melon can be used in a variety of ways in recipes. Like the melons that grow on the vine, these fruits can be eaten simply out of hand or added to fruit salads for added flavor. They can also be mixed into jams, jellies and preserves, used as a base for panna cotta and other fruit desserts, and employed in savory dishes such as roasts. These melon-shaped fruits can also be used in smoothies and other fruit drinks and are also suitable for garnishing.
When selecting a melon at the store, people should look for fruits with unblemished rinds, no signs of soft spots or uneven coloring, and a weight that feels heavy for the fruit’s size, indicating juiciness. If the fruit is not perfectly ripe, it can be placed in a brown paper bag with a banana and should ripen within a few days. If a recipe calls for shrub melon and a substitute is needed, some options may include fresh mango, cherimoya, and regular melons, depending on the recipe.
People living in USDA zones nine through 11 can grow tree melons in their gardens. They need well-drained, fertile soil and a sunny, warm spot in the garden. Papaya and pepino both grow rapidly and can bear fruit within 6-9 months after planting. Gardeners should be aware that papayas must be planted with at least one male tree in order to pollinate and set fruit.
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