You’ll never believe this, but something crazy is growing in Riverhead, New York
You’ll never believe this, but something crazy is growing in Riverhead, New York.
Something really weird. The locals tell stories about a watermelon so small it can be held between your finger and your thumb. Tiny enough to be eaten whole in a single bite. So flavorful, that that single bite is enough to make your taste buds sing…
Well, the locals aren’t totally wrong. There is something…unusual growing in Riverhead. They must be talking about Pepquinos – the cucumber that looks just like a tiny watermelon. It happens all the time. Locals get a glimpse of someone popping a Pepquino into their mouth, and they jump right to conclusions.
Pepquinos are being grown in Riverhead. Right here at the Flavour Fields headquarters in fact. And it’s something that we’re VERY excited about. It’s our only product that grows seasonally, rather than year round. That’s because the plants require pollination, from bees and other flying insects, to bear fruit. To properly pollinate, the plants must be kept outdoors, restricting the production season to warmer months of summer.
These tiny cucumbers have the most incredible flavor, and texture. The mini-melons crunch in your mouth with a slightly tart cucumber scented juice – a shocking flavor coming from what appears to be a little watermelon!
The preparation possibilities are endless – just think of all the things you can do with a regular cucumber! These little babies can be sliced, diced, and pickled 8 ways to Sunday (that means every which way). They make impressive garnishes on watermelon cocktails and a perfectly palatable by just popping them whole into your mouth.
If we had a few to play around with, we’d serve some thinly sliced on a savory cucumber almond panna cotta with twirls of salty prosciutto and a drizzle of nice olive oil. They’d be just as delicious pickled in a salty brine and dropped into the bottom of an icy gin martini.
Whatever you choose to do with the little guys, one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be delicious. So go ahead, have a Pepquino or two. Heck, have a whole handful. Just don’t tell the locals. They still think we’re growing tiny watermelons out here – and we kind of like the gossip.