Cucumber Melon 'Abruzzese Chiaro' - The crunchy Italian Tortarello

Forget watery supermarket cucumbers that often taste bitter or feel heavy on the stomach! With the 'Abruzzese Chiaro' (full name: Tortarello Abruzzese Chiaro), you are bringing a true Italian delicacy and a fascinating botanical secret into your garden. While it looks like a long, light green cucumber and is used in exactly the same way, here is the kicker: botanically speaking, it is actually a melon!

This so-called "cucumber melon" from the sun-drenched Abruzzo region is the absolute star for anyone who loves extremely crunchy, fresh, and easily digestible summer vegetables.

Scope of delivery: One young plant in a 7cm pot.

The botanical secret: A melon in a cucumber costume

The 'Abruzzese Chiaro' (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) originates from the warm south of Italy and has a long tradition there. Because it belongs to the melon family, unlike regular slicing cucumbers, it produces absolutely no bitter compounds. This makes it the perfect choice for anyone who is sensitive to regular cucumbers or who finds they "repeat" on them. This cucumber melon is extremely digestible, stomach-friendly, and so incredibly crunchy that you will want to snack on it straight from the vine.

Appearance & Harvest: Ribbed, light green, and beautiful

The name "Chiaro" means "light" in Italian – and that is exactly how this variety presents itself. The fruits glow in a beautiful, pale light green and have a distinctive, slightly ribbed surface.

• Harvest tip: Don't let them grow into giant clubs! They taste best when you harvest them as soon as they are about 25 to 30 centimeters long. That is when their flesh is juiciest, the seeds inside are still soft and tiny, and the taste unfolds its full, slightly sweet, and nutty aroma.

Growth & Location: A sun-loving climbing artist

As a true child of the south, the 'Abruzzese Chiaro' loves warmth and plenty of light. It is very vigorous and likes to spread out.

• The ideal location: Give it the warmest, sunniest spot in your garden or on your balcony. A greenhouse, a sheltered south-facing wall, or a covered balcony are ideal.

• Climbing or creeping: You have a choice! You can let it creep along the ground over your bed like a squash. However, it is much more space-saving and visually appealing to provide it with a trellis or a net. When grown vertically, the fruits grow beautifully straight downwards, stay clean, and can be harvested comfortably while standing.

• Care: Like all cucumber and melon plants, it needs sufficient and regular water on hot summer days (best to water directly at the root zone, not over the leaves). Nutrient-rich soil with some compost ensures bountiful yields well into autumn.

Into the kitchen: The pure summer experience

In Italy, the Tortarello is celebrated as the ultimate refreshment on hot days. You don't have to peel it – the light, ribbed skin is wonderfully thin and can (and should!) simply be eaten along with it.

• The fresh kick: Simply slice it, add some good olive oil, coarse sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon – and your perfect, light summer snack is ready.

• In salad: It adds a fantastic crunch to any mixed salad or the classic Italian bread salad (panzanella).

• Top-tier tzatziki: Grate the 'Abruzzese Chiaro' into your yogurt – because it is less watery than a normal cucumber, your tzatziki will be particularly creamy and intense in flavor!