https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-na...
I've eaten them...
I've eaten the flowers...
I'm not a big fan of the fruit... it's similar to pomegranate, the fruit is attached to the seed... apparently people swallow the seeds... which would be simpler than trying to spit them out...
The fruit turn yellow and release from the vine. If you find the fruit has dropped to the ground... it's ripe.