PORCUPINE EGGS

Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) a.k.a. Balsam-apple.Common from Canada on southward it grows as a vine over other supportive plants (it has a weak stem).

Not really edible as real cucumbers are. Seed pods resemble small watermelons when green except for all the prickles on them. Contain 4 flat-ish seeds which drop out when the seed pod dries.

When we were kids on the farm, we ran a road-side store selling apples, cider, eggs, etc. We used to collect these seed pods, put them in those papier mache' egg cartons and sell them to tourists for a dollar a dozen. We called them porcupine eggs. They sold really well, actually. Apparently, tourists have a good sense of humor. And the profit was there especially since REAL eggs were selling for 30 cents a dozen back in the 50s.