Pepino
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Pepino
- From: K*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 07:35:24 EST
I'd like some help identifying a fruit that I came across in Chile in January
of this year. It is six or seven inches long and shaped something like a
football. The skin is thin and green with darker green striping (something
like a watermelon). It is all green on the inside and has a soft center with
many small seeds (something like a papaya). It is eaten by slicing it in
half, scooping out the seeds with a spoon, and then eating the firmer flesh
with the spoon. The flesh is somewhat melon-like in both taste and texture.
It is found everywhere. Every fruit market had a display. The hotels we
stayed in always included it with breakfast. The locals call it "pepino" and
we were told that it grows on trees and comes from northern Chile (closer to
the tropics). I was tempted to try to bring some seed back with me, but I
didn't want to run afoul of the law. Any ideas?
Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
