40 Pickling Melon Green Striped Cucumis melo var conomom Seed 

The rich, green and white striped fruits resemble large cucumbers and mature to 18" long. The flesh is white, very thick and has been used for kazu-zuke or nara-zuke—a pickling recipe over a thousand years old.

Cultivation: Needs a warm climate to thrive. Prepare fertile, well drained soil. Sow seeds in late spring/early summer after last frost in a warm, sunny location. Hill planting: Form soil into a 1' diameter mound 3-4" tall. Space mounds 3-5' apart. On each mound plant 2-3 seeds. Row planting: See spacing info in chart. Keep soil moist. Fertilize as needed. Train to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest or leave to sprawl on the ground. Promote lateral branching. Hand pollination maybe required. Vines can grow up to 10’ long. For best flavor, harvest before skin turns white.

Culinary tips: This melon is mainly used for pickling but can be eaten fresh or cooked. In Japan it is pickled in kasu, a by-product of sake production and called shiru-kasu-zuke.