Cucumis metuliferus, commonly called the horned melon, spiked melon, jelly melon, or kiwano, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family Cucurbitaceae.
Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon". The ripe fruit has orange skin and lime-green, jelly-like flesh.
The fruit's taste has been compared to a combination of banana and passionfruit, cucumber and zucchini or a combination of banana, cucumber and lime. A small amount of salt or sugar can increase the flavour, but the seed content can make eating the fruit less convenient than many common fruits.
Some also eat the peel, which is very rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.
At the market, Hatsukoi performed another prank. He grabbed a large green horned kiwano melon from the counter and ran away.
“Thief! Thief! Get the thief!” the merchant shouted, and ran out after the boy. Passers-by tried to grab Hatsukoi, but he turned out to be far more deft than they. He raced down the street and disappeared into the alley. There, he replaced the horned melon with a cactus with long, sharp needles, and immediately jumped back out into the street.
The merchant was already very close. Then Hatsukoi shouted: “I am sorry, mister! Here’s your melon!” With that, Hatsukoi threw the cactus to the merchant who, of course, stretched out his hands. Sharp cactus needles pierced deep into his palms. The merchant emitted a heart-rending yell. One after another, he tore out the long needles, and each time he screamed. Distracted with pain, he completely forgot about the boy.