Banana melon which looks like a cross between a papaya and a banana is actually a sister of cantaloupe and cousin of cucumber. It not only looks like a banana but also has a hint of banana taste together with cantaloupe, as well as a hint of banana aroma. It has salmon-colored flesh, much like cantaloupe and a yellow rind. The banana melon plant prefers a full sunlight location with well-drained soil for good production. Some say it gets its name from the shape and some say it has a banana-like flavor. This melon is wonderful as a dessert or snack. It is also used to perk up salads, salsas, entrees, and drinks.
| Banana Melon Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Banana Melon |
| Colors | Green when young turning to yellow as they ripe |
| Shapes | Banana shaped melons up to 16 to 24 inches long and 4 inch in diameter |
| Taste | Salmon-colored flesh |
| Calories | 21 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Vitamin C (9.00%) Vitamin B9 (5.00%) Vitamin K (4.08%) Copper (3.89%) Vitamin B6 (3.85%) |
Banana Melon Facts
| Name | Banana Melon |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Habit | Vining warm season plant |
| Growing Climate | Requires full sunlight Location |
| Soil | Well-drained, fertile soil amended with compost or well-rotted manure |
| Fruit Shape & Size | Banana shaped melons up to 16 to 24 inches long and 4 inch in diameter |
| Fruit Color | Green when young turning to yellow as they ripe |
| Skin | Smooth yellow skin |
| Flesh Color | Salmon-colored flesh |
| Fruit Weight | 5 to 8 pounds each |
| Flavor/Aroma | Mild, distinctive, evocative flavor |
| Taste | Taste much like banana |
| Plant Parts Used | Fruit |
| Days of Maturation | 90 Days |
| Major Nutrition | Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 8.1 mg (9.00%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 20 µg (5.00%) Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 4.9 µg (4.08%) Copper, Cu 0.035 mg (3.89%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.05 mg (3.85%) Carbohydrate 4.06 g (3.12%) Potassium, K 140 mg (2.98%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.46 mg (2.88%) Iron, Fe 0.21 mg (2.63%) Magnesium, Mg 10 mg (2.38%) |
Plant Description
The banana melon plant is a vining warm-season plant that grows in full sunlight location and prefers well-drained, fertile soil amended with compost or well-rotted manure. A 2-inch layer of compost or dry manure should be worked into the soil over the planting area to about a depth of 6 inches. The plant yields tasty elongated banana-shaped melons up to 16 to 24 inches long and 4 inches in diameter and an average weight of up to 5 to 8 pounds each. Fruit is normally green when young turning to yellow as they are ripe. Banana melon has smooth yellow skin and salmon-colored flesh. Banana melons rapidly turn yellow in a short time as it ripens. You can also check the stem of each fruit for dryness. Ripe fruits have a dry stem that is brown and somewhat shriveled. Ripe fruit has a mild, distinctive, evocative flavor and luscious, papaya-like texture.
Nutritional Values of Banana Melon
Apart from their mild, distinctive, evocative flavor and luscious, papaya-like texture, Banana melon is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Consuming 100 gram of Banana melon offers 8.1 mg of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), 20 µg of Vitamin B9 (Folate), 4.9 µg of Vitamin K (phylloquinone), 0.035 mg of Copper, 0.05 mg of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), 4.06 g of Carbohydrate, 140 mg of Potassium, 0.46 mg of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and 0.21 mg of Iron.
Nutritional value of Banana Melon (Navajo)
Calories 21 K cal. Calories from Fat 1.8 K cal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 94.66 g | N/D |
| Energy | 21 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 90 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 0.84 g | 1.68% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 0.2 g | 0.57% |
| Ash | 0.24 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 4.06 g | 3.12% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 0.79% |
| Total Sugars | 3.36 g | N/D |
| Glucose (dextrose) | 1.3 g | N/D |
| Fructose | 2.06 g | N/D |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 13 mg | 1.30% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.21 mg | 2.63% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10 mg | 2.38% |
| Phosphorus, P | 9 mg | 1.29% |
| Potassium, K | 140 mg | 2.98% |
| Sodium, Na | 11 mg | 0.73% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.14 mg | 1.27% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.035 mg | 3.89% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.036 mg | 1.57% |
| Selenium, Se | 0.4 µg | 0.73% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.02 mg | 1.67% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.018 mg | 1.38% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.46 mg | 2.88% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.07 mg | 1.40% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.05 mg | 3.85% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 20 µg | 5.00% |
| Folate, food | 20 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 8.1 mg | 9.00% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.9 µg | 4.08% |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs, Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Culinary Uses
- This melon is wonderful as a dessert or snack.
- It is also used to perk up salads, salsas, entrees, and drinks.
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