Achocha is a slender tropical vine from South America from the cucumber family. It produces a pale green, semi-flattened fruit resembling a cucumber that is 4" to 6" long. However unlike a cucumber, the inside of the ripe fruit is hollow and eaten much like bell peppers - either raw or cooked (after the seeds are removed). They are also prepared as stuffed peppers; stuffed with meat, fish or cheese and then baked - earning it's name "Stuffing Cucumber". Research conducted in Peru has reported that caigua can lower cholesterol levels in humans by up to 20% and is becoming popular as a health food.
