I'm leaving Turkmenistan next week and will be bringing some local seeds back with me. One is local red bell pepper that gets about 7" long and 4" or so diameter. A nice taste that is not overpowering and used them often when I cook. I never had the chance to get out to a local farm to see how big the plants are but the peppers are from "farmers" market places and was told by locals that the seeds are viable.

The other pepper is a hot pepper about the size and shape of a cherry tomato. The first bite into them is slightly sweet and then the heat punches you in the throat for about 30 seconds. My go to pepper when I want to add some spice to what I am cooking or marinading. I've also roasted them and used in salsas...very nice. I've only found these peppers at the Russian bazaar so not sure how common they are but my favorite pepper.

The last is a melon seed, these I had to buy as the ones I was drying out were unfortunately tossed out by the cleaning lady. This melon is fantastic, similar to a cantaloupe but are football shaped and about 2' long; huge, heavy melons. Very sweet and a ton of water content to them. From what I have been able to learn from the locals they need very little water (figure the would be good to plant during the dry season in the PI). I have never been a melon fan but spend most of the summer eating them for breakfast.

I will start some seeds in flats once I get home so the leftover seeds (minus what the wife will give to her parents) are free for the taking if anyone would like to try some. I assume the pepper seeds will grow in the PI and hope the melons will grow as well, but I have not tried them there yet so no guarantees. I live in Tanjay but will occasionally be in Dumaguete on this trip so anyone that would like some seeds just shoot me a PM.

Shawn