Goat Horn Cantaloupe

 

The goat horn cantaloupe is no different from a regular cantaloupe when it comes to its growing condition.  If regular cantaloupe can grow in your zone, goat horn can grow too.  The vines and flowers of the goat horn look the same as regular cantaloupe.

Besides the shape, the only difference is the mild taste, thin skin and tender texture. The green flesh of the goat horn is not as sweet as regular cantaloupe and can be cut up and put into either fruit salad or vegetable salad while regular cantaloupe can only be used for a fruit salad.  The skin of goat horn is paper thin. You don’t need to peel it at all.  You can just bite into it directly. The texture of the goat horn is crispy and tender.  It melts in your mouth after you chew it a couple of times.  That is why it is great for children to gnaw on.

If you pick a regular cantaloupe too early, you probably will have to throw it away. But if you pick a goat horn too early, no big deal, just eat it as a cucumber.  When a goat horn is not ripe, it tastes exactly like a cucumber.

Because of its tender skin, goat horn is very attractive to mice. I have a cat patrolling my garden during the growing season.  Since goat horn is a cantaloupe, squash bugs are deadly to them.  If you don’t have squash bugs in your area, why not plant some goat horn? I will have seed for sale in the spring of 2012.