Piel de Sapo Melon

The Piel de Sapo melon is a classic Spanish winter melon whose name translates to “toad skin,” a reference to its dark green, mottled rind that resembles the skin of a toad. Belonging to the inodorus group—often called winter melons—and more specifically the Spanish melon group, it has long been prized in Spain as one of the country’s finest dessert melons for its exceptional sweetness and excellent keeping quality. Its elongated fruits hide crisp, pale flesh with a smooth texture and a refreshing cucumber-like flavor balanced by rich sweetness. This variety quickly became a favorite among the children in our photographer’s family, who happily devoured the specimens photographed here. (They get a lot of melons dropped on their doorstep, so their endorsement here is high praise.) Determining ripeness can take a little practice, as these melons do not “slip” from the vine like muskmelons. Instead, growers learn to watch for subtle signs such as a slight softening at the blossom end, a mellowing of the rind color, and a sweet fragrance near the stem. Once you master the art, the rewards are tremendous—few melons can match the flavor of a perfectly ripe Piel de Sapo. Matures approximately 90-110 days after sowing. Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.