Melothria cucumbers by Erich Stekovics, tiny and striped
Melothria cucumbers by Erich Stekovics are tiny striped fruits that look like miniature watermelons and are pickled in wine vinegar with sugar and salt. They remain crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a flavor profile closer to capers than to slicing cucumbers.
Melothria cucumbers are pickled Mexican miniature cucumbers from Erich Stekovics, based near Lake Neusiedl in the far east of Austria; they are light green striped and no more than three centimeters long. The stems and blossom remnants are removed by hand before the fruits are layered and covered with brine.
Crunchy on the outside, sweet and sour at the core
First, it's the appearance that stands out, as each fruit bears the markings of a miniature watermelon, resting light on dark green in the brine. Anyone who sees them for the first time takes a second look and then reaches for one.
The bite offers a dual experience: the skin provides a firm crunch, while the core yields immediately, tasting almost like ripe fruit. At first, the cucumber flavor is at the forefront, but then an acidity emerges that is reminiscent of capers and young gooseberries.
The wine vinegar remains mild, while sugar and salt keep it balanced, allowing the fruit's own seasoning to stay prominent. Even after weeks in the brine, the markings remain distinct, and the jar remains an eye-catcher on the shelf.
For the antipasti board and cold dishes
Sprinkle a handful over a salad, and these little ones will take on the role usually played by capers.
Next to cheese, cold cuts, and olives, they belong on every snack board, and on a slice of cream cheese bread, they provide conversation starters before the first bite is even taken. They add acidity without heaviness to cold roast meat or when chopped into tartare. On a skewer next to cheese cubes, they take the place of the usual pickled pearl onion.
The striped fruits also make an impression on the rim of an aperitif, skewered or simply served in a bowl. Keep them in the brine in the jar, otherwise the last few pieces will quickly dry out and lose their markings.
Melothria, a relative of the melon
Botanically, Melothria scabra belongs to the gourd family, placing it in the same category as melons, zucchini, and cucumbers. The plant originates from Mexico and Central America, where it is known as the mouse melon and has been grown in gardens for centuries.
It climbs several meters high with thin tendrils and bears many small fruits that all have to be picked individually. This is precisely why this rarity is virtually unavailable commercially, as it cannot be harvested by machine. Erich Stekovics harvests them early because the fruit loses its crunch and becomes soft as it grows larger.
Their kinship with the melon also explains the soft interior, which one would not expect from a cucumber. Erich Stekovics cultivates the plant by Lake Neusiedl, where it gets the long, warm summer it needs.
A rarity for curious guests
Hardly any other jar prompts questions at the table so quickly. If you are hosting guests and looking for something that makes an impact without any introduction, this is the right choice. Among the rarities from Erich Stekovics, you will also find robust salt-brined cucumbers.
Contents 140 g – Drained weight 65 g
