What is "egusi"

n. melon seeds that are ground to make soup in Africa.

Egusi seeds are fat- and protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous ( squash, melon, gourd) plants. Authorities disagree whether the word is used more properly for the seeds of the colocynth, those of a particular large-seeded variety of the watermelon, or generically for those of any cucurbitaceous plant. The characteristics and uses of all these seeds are broadly similar.