Cyclanthera pedata Achocha, or caigua, is a vigorous annual vine in the cucumber family. The young, tender fruits can be eaten raw, while older fruits develop tougher skin and seeds but can be hollowed out and stuffed.
Raw achocha tastes like a mix of cucumber, green pepper, and green bean—juicy and crunchy. It starts producing fruit late in the season and continues until frost, thriving after cucumbers slow down.
Fast-growing and resistant to pests and diseases. The plant prefers a cool, moist and fertile root system and does well with mulch, compost, and frequent watering. Domesticated in the Andes and valued by the Incas, achocha is now widely cultivated in South and Central America and South Asia.
Sow indoors mid-May. Transplant after frost risk has passed. Plant 1 cm deep, spacing 30 cm apart.
These seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.
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