Yes, wild melon can be eaten.
Traditional Consumption of Wild Melon
Based on traditional practices, wild melons have been consumed for various purposes, including as food for humans, as a dessert, and also used as animal feed.
The fruit of the wild melon can be eaten fresh. However, according to traditional methods, it is most commonly consumed after cooking. This cooked form is known by specific names in different languages:
- nhopi in the Shona language
- umxhanxa in the Ndebele language
Beyond being eaten fresh or cooked, wild melons are particularly useful for making fruit preserves. This is due to their naturally high pectin content, which helps achieve the desired gel-like consistency in preserves.
In summary, wild melon fruit is recognized and used as an edible item, prepared in different ways depending on tradition and desired outcome.
