While growing up in the early 90's I could remember this fruit we call tomato Elejo ( snake tomatoes) that it's often used as replacement for the regular tomatoes whenever mama wants to make stew.
We can get the seeds and plant them to use during this period as it can grow almost anywhere.

Tomato Elejo (Snake Tomato)

Snake tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina) locally known as “tomato Elejo” is a variety growing mostly wild in southwestern Nigeria. It is mainly found in the states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Edo. This long vegetable, which resembles to a cucumber, is richer in vitamin C, vitamin A and essential amino acids and calcium than the more popular and widespread tomatoes. It is less demanding as far as soil is concerned and thus ideal for southwestern Nigeria.   Snake tomato is used to prepare stews and is added in many local dishes, but is also used locally as a medicine, given its high concentration of vitamins. It used to be widely grown in the 60s and was very common in the local markets but nowadays not many are familiar with this food, especially younger generations. Nowadays attention has shifted to the more commercialized vine tomato, mostly to make paste, leaving snake tomato to grow wild, with little attention to its potential. As a basic foodstuff and vitamin provider snake tomato could prevent malnutrition and help fight the eye diseases, which are particularly prevalent amongst children in the region. Moreover, the cultivation itself would be a further source of income for farmers.

Unripe tomatoes

Matured and ripe tomatoes

Yes... I remember this tomatoes.

Tomato elejo(snake tomato) that's a good idea. Anybody else......... yes you!!! say sumtin!

Interesting......

Woww ive not seen this before.

yes but not sweet in taste

bewla:
yes but not sweet in taste

Really? I can't remember how it tastes though. It has been over 15 years.
It's a solution to this problem.

This does not look like tomatoes and I am sure it'll not taste like it.

This thing is AGBO better go and buy dried tomatoes and make your stew.

no thanks

Its a No No for me

TouchstoneNgr:
While growing up in the early 90's I could remember this fruit we call tomato Elejo ( snake tomatoes) that it's often used as replacement for the regular tomatoes whenever mama wants to make stew.
We can get the seeds and plant them to use during this period as it can grow almost anywhere.

Tomato Elejo (Snake Tomato)

Snake tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina) locally known as “tomato Elejo” is a variety growing mostly wild in southwestern Nigeria. It is mainly found in the states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Edo. This long vegetable, which resembles to a cucumber, is richer in vitamin C, vitamin A and essential amino acids and calcium than the more popular and widespread tomatoes. It is less demanding as far as soil is concerned and thus ideal for southwestern Nigeria.   Snake tomato is used to prepare stews and is added in many local dishes, but is also used locally as a medicine, given its high concentration of vitamins. It used to be widely grown in the 60s and was very common in the local markets but nowadays not many are familiar with this food, especially younger generations. Nowadays attention has shifted to the more commercialized vine tomato, mostly to make paste, leaving snake tomato to grow wild, with little attention to its potential. As a basic foodstuff and vitamin provider snake tomato could prevent malnutrition and help fight the eye diseases, which are particularly prevalent amongst children in the region. Moreover, the cultivation itself would be a further source of income for farmers.

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Python dance tomatoes!

Never heard of Tomato elejo or
Snake tomatoes before now...

Nice post...