Kiwano
Text: Mariola Weindich-Mašek
3 November 2019
Exotic fruits and vegetables are never too much. Especially now – in winter, when our menu is less varied than the one in summer. Therefore, we suggest to taste a kiwano, or a horned cucumber.
Kiwano, an African horned cucumber, is a very interesting species of vegetables, which occurs in Africa. While looking at kiwano for the first time, it is difficult to guess whether it is a fruit or a vegetable. And it is the same with its taste – well it is quite ambiguous. Kiwano tastes like a kiwi, melon or a well- known to us cucumber. Its smell, however, is similar to that of ... a banana.
When cut in half, you can see a pulp with seeds. It can be added to fruit salads, desserts, fish and seafood. It is also ideal for cocktails and smoothies. What is important - the fruit is a low- calorie and an extremely healthy one.
Kiwano fruits have a lot of vitamin A, B, C and P, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper and manganese. Eating them can have beneficial effects on the liver, kidneys and circulatory system. It also improves the metabolic processes, while simultaneously having a laxative and diuretic effect. The kiwano ingredients can support the treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. 100 grams of the fruit have only 44 calories.
Kiwano has a long shelf life. At home, at room temperature, it can be stored up to six months.
Bon Appetite!