Summer Ingredient Essentials: Pepino Dulce

Grown in the Andean regions of South America, Pepino Dulce, also known as the Melon Pear, Pepino Melon, and Tree Melon, is coveted for its slightly sweet golden flesh and aroma of vanilla and honeydew and is enjoyed the world over. This super food isn’t loved just for its mellow banana-pear taste, but for its nutritional benefits as well!

Pepino Dulce is rich in immune system boosting Vitamin C, metabolism supporting B Vitamins, and Vitamin A, which helps promote cell turnover in the skin. Calcium for healthy bones and potassium, which helps lower blood pressure, along with 5 grams of fiber per 80 calories of fruit gives it a permanent place in the Latin kitchen.

How do I pick the best Pepino Dulce?

Pepino Dulce is a fruit shaped like a tear drop, with smooth golden skin streaked with purple. For ripe picks, choose fruit that has richly hued purple streaks and has a stronger aroma. They should smell sweet and should be free of any bruising, cuts, or soft spots. The fruit should be firm to the touch and be a bit on the heavy side for its size. If none of the picks aren’t ripe don’t worry, you can ripen the fruit at home.

What can I make with Pepino Dulce?

Pepino Dulce has a mildly sweet flavor. It's most often eaten raw on its own or can be featured as a green salad topping, a sweet addition to a savory salsa, or as a bright accompaniment to a fresh fruit salad. Drizzle fresh pepino with honey or agave to bring out its sweetness or sprinkle with salt and cayenne pepper for a tantalizing treat. Wrap pepinos in serrano ham for a quick appetizer, toss chopped pepinos in a chile chicken salad for a surprising twist, or blend into an heirloom gazpacho for a hint of sweetness.

To prep your Pepino Dulce simply run under cool water then dice, chop, or slice as desired. To remove the skin, simply peel back from the nub end and discard.

Ripe pepinos should be stored in the refrigerator and will remain fresh for 3-5 days. To ripen pepinos, simply store at room temperature for a few days until aromatic and richly streaked. To prevent them from becoming overly ripe or mealy, simply refrigerate for up to 5 days or until ready to use.

Recipes to try include: Mango Wedges Wrapped in Serrano Ham (sub mango with pepino dulce), Fruit Gazpacho (sub 1/3 of mango with pepino dulce), and Red Snapper and Melon Ceviche (sub cantaloupe with pepino dulce).