"Cucumis anguria. The West Indian gherkin grows and is used in a similar fashion as the cucumber. It was introduced into the United States in the early 1800s, but remains cultivated to only a limited extent. Oval in shape with a round cross-section, it has a highly warted skin, long spines and a large cavity with many seeds." This is one that various seed companies have been offereing since the 19 th century. A few of the old folks use to pickle them. My father use to say that they look too much like a pickled mouse, and I guess it stuck with me. I have no use for them. However when most folks, particularly old folks like me, think of gherkins this is the one they are thinking of of. The Mexican Sour Gherkin (Melothria scabrahas) has recently shown some popularity. These are smooth and look much like baby watermelons.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks Farmer
I won't be planting it,I have limited space in my garden. If anyone would like the seeds PM me with your address.
Jim

I first grew WI gherkins in an attempt to pickle them; they were OK, but the yield - while consistent - was too small on any given day. Because the fruits are harvested small, it would take a large area to get a respectable quantity.

They are, however, very tasty eaten raw in salads... and real attention-getters for those who eat them for the first time. Picked small (about 3/4"), the spines are still soft, though they appear formidable. The hardest thing about eating them for the first time is overcoming your natural instinct for self-preservation! ;-) They have a crunchy texture, and a sweet non-bitter flavor - quite pleasant.

The fruits are numerous, but hard to find amid the sprawling vines (which will reach 6-8 feet across). They also mature very quickly; so it's almost inevitable that you will miss a few. I get a few volunteers in the garden each year from fruits I "let go", and that is enough for my salads. The plants are heat-lovers, though... so the cool wind from the Sound probably wouldn't agree with them. Sorry, JW. :-(