Cucumber 'Carosello Di Polignano' (Cucumis melo), offered by Weston Seeds
🥒 A cucumber… which is actually a melon?! 🍈
The 'Carosello Di Polignano' is a surprising Italian heirloom variety , from the melon family ! Unlike classic cucumbers, this unique fruit has no thorns and a slightly fuzzy skin , reminiscent of its melon origins.
💡 A taste that evolves with maturity! Harvested young, it is crunchy, juicy and without bitterness , perfect for salads. If left to mature , it develops a slightly sweet, mild flavor , with thin skin and marked ribs.
Features
Day to maturity: 63 to 68 days
Fruit size: 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 inches)
Height: 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Spacing between plants: 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 inches)
Exposure: Full sun
Sowing: Indoor/direct
Quantity per pack: nd
Cultivation method
'Carosello Di Polignano' cucumbers thrive in rich, well-warmed, sandy loam soil . Work the soil thoroughly with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 18°C (66°F) to ensure successful germination and avoid seed rot .
Sowing method:
🌱 Form hills 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) high and 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) in diameter .
🌱 Plant 6 to 8 seeds per hill , at a depth of 2 cm (3/4 inch) .
🌱 After germination, thin out to keep only 3 to 4 plants per hill .
💡 Tip : Grow them on a trellis to save space and get more consistent fruit.
🌞 Watering and maintenance
Maintain constant humidity to avoid water stress, which can make the fruit slightly bitter. Protect young plants from late frosts and harvest them carefully with a sharp knife to avoid damaging the plants.
How to taste 'Carosello Di Polignano'?
🔹 Young (less than 10 cm) : Crunchy and refreshing, it can be eaten like a cucumber, in a salad, in tzatziki or simply plain with a squeeze of lemon.
🔹 Ripe (over 10 cm) : Its sweet flavor is reminiscent of melon, perfect for cheese platters 🧀, smoothies 🥤 or sweet and savory salads.
🔹 Marinated : Soaked in vinegar with aromatic herbs, it becomes an original alternative to classic pickles.
Why grow 'Carosello Di Polignano'?
🍈 A unique fruit-vegetable between cucumber and melon
🌿 Bitter-free and ultra-digestible
☀️ Ideal for hot and sunny climates
💡 Versatile in the kitchen, from savory to sweet
Dare to be original and rediscover a forgotten Italian flavor with this exceptional cucumber-melon!
