Description

🥒 Golden cucumber, locally known as Kani Vellari, is a cherished heirloom variety in Kerala—especially during the Vishu festival, where it plays a symbolic role in the traditional Vishu Kani arrangement.

🌿 Key Features

• Botanical name: Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis var. conomon
• Shape: Round to oval, resembling small melons
• Skin: Golden yellow with broad green patches that darken as it ripens
• Flesh: White, crisp, and mildly sweet
• Flavor: Refreshing and slightly tangy—ideal for cooking and rituals

🌱 Cultivation Highlights

• Grown mainly in Kozhikode, Kanjikuzhy, and Peruvayal regions3
• Harvest season: March–April, timed for Vishu
• Ripening time: Just 10 days after fruiting
• Challenges: Sensitive to heat and prone to cracking; also threatened by wild animals like porcupines and boars

🛒 Market & Cultural Significance

• Sold at around ₹50–₹60 per fruit during peak Vishu season
• Featured prominently in Vishu Kani, symbolizing prosperity and abundance
• Farmers often save seeds from early harvests for next year’s crop

🍛 Culinary Uses

• Used in sambar, pachadi, and stir-fries
• Sometimes pickled or added to festive dishes like Palakottai Kani Vellari Sambar