Banana Melon

I am surprised to see no reviews for this gem of a melon. If you live north of the 35th latitude, get these started indoors in late February, because their season is pretty long. The slips love a greenhouse or a cold frame. Any extra effort in tending the seedlings is well worth the effort, for when they are ripe, they burst with flavor and moisture, and a hint of banana mixed in with the familiar muskiness of the species. They are everything a cantaloupe wishes it could become. Also an excellent option to be rendered into pancake syrup.

I planted this last year as a curiosity and was quite amazed by it. It had a semi-citrus, spicy aroma. In a very hot area such as ours, I found it was better to harvest very slightly green, the flesh was a firmer like that. The vines were heavy producers, held up well, and the fruit was sweet and delicious. It does take quite a bit of space, but was well worth it.

My husband says it takes like ice cream! This great old melon is fun to grow and watch mature. I didn't have a lot of melons this time, but I planted a little late. I'm glad I grew them. Soft mellow fruit with fairly thick skin and good flavor.