What is coyote melon?

Coyote melon, also known as bitter gourd or bitter cucumber, is a wild gourd species native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is a vining plant that produces small, round fruits that are green when young and turn yellow when ripe. The fruits have a bitter taste and are not typically eaten raw, but are used in traditional indigenous cuisines for cooking. Coyote melon fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, and have been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous cultures for centuries. They are also used as a natural dye and the seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack. Coyote melon plants are also used as ornamental vines in gardens for their attractive foliage and unique fruits.