Eaten on its own or tossed in salads, cantaloupe can provide refreshment on a hot summer afternoon. It can also be puréed into smoothies, ice cream, or gazpacho. But cantaloupe’s offerings don’t end in the realm of sweet recipes.
What’s the best way to eat cantaloupe?
Here are some ways to enjoy cantaloupes:
- On its own. Simply cube, scoop, or slice it for a snack or healthy dessert.
- Add it to a salad. Sprinkle pieces of cantaloupe into any salad for a sweet touch.
- Chill it for soup. Puree the fruit until smooth.
- Eat the seeds. Roast the cleaned seeds in the oven.
Can cantaloupe be eaten raw?
It is most often eaten raw. Sliced, it can be served with cured ham as a starter. The sweetness of the melon compliments well the salted flavor of Serrano or Parma ham. Cut into cubes, it can be added to summer vegetable or fruit salads.
Do you take the seeds out of a cantaloupe?
Wait until the fruits are fully ripe and separated from the vine before collecting seeds from melons. In cantaloupe, for example, look for thick netting and a pungent melon smell from the stem end. To start saving melon seeds, cut open the fruit lengthwise and scoop out the seed masses into a jar.
What parts of cantaloupe are edible?
Like many genetically similar plants, the same parts of both are edible: the interior flesh, of course, which is what is generally eaten in both cases; the rinds, which are less eaten, although recipes for cooking with, say, watermelon rinds do exist; and most curiously, the seeds.
Which is healthier watermelon or cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe has more immune system-boosting vitamin C than watermelon. It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that help to prevent macular degeneration, in which the retina deteriorates.
Does cantaloupe make you poop?
Cantaloupe has a high water content and provides fiber. Fiber and water can help prevent constipation, promoting regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
Why is cantaloupe bad for you?
Having too much potassium in your blood increases your risk of a heart attack. Eating too much cantaloupe may also be hard on your intestines and cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other digestive problems.
Are you supposed to refrigerate cantaloupe?
If buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice. After purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly. Wash hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes. Scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating.
Do you refrigerate whole cantaloupe?
Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Are cantaloupe seeds healthy?
Cantaloupe seeds contain immense vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and essential minerals like zinc, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and fiber. It is a source of protein too, so vegetarians can get their protein requirement from these seeds as it contains 3.6% of protein.
How do you cut a cantaloupe?
First, turn the cantaloupe hollow side down (where the seeds were). You want those flat stem ends to be from left to right, as shown in the photos above. Carefully cut thin slices in the same direction you sliced off those stem ends. Use your knife as a scoop to transfer the fruit to a serving plate or tray.
How do you know if a cantaloupe is ripe?
As with cantaloupe, color is your first sign of ripeness. The melon’s green rind will take on a creamy yellowish color. If the color is right, gently push on the end of the melon opposite from the stem. If there is a slight give, the melon is probably ripe.
Will cantaloupe ripen after being refrigerated?
If neither one is, let the fruit sit on the counter until it’s ripe. It usually takes between 5 to 10 days, depending on how long the specimen already sat in the supermarket. A ripe cantaloupe is sweeter and softer than an unripe one.
Counter | Fridge | |
---|---|---|
Cantaloupe (ripe) | 5 – 7 days | 2 – 3 weeks |
Cantaloupe (cut) | 3 – 4 days |
Are cantaloupe seeds poisonous?
The accepted answer says that seeds not commonly sold in stores have no nutrition, are bitter, or are poisonous. This is incorrect. Watermelon, cantaloupe, apple, peach, apricot, and so forth seeds are packed full of nutrients; even more than most commercially sold seeds.
Is cantaloupe good for arthritis?
Cantaloupe May Contain Anti-inflammatory Properties
Both of them are two known anti-inflammatory compounds that alleviate pain and prevent inflammatory diseases.
Is it OK to eat cantaloupe at night?
Cantaloupe Melon
That antioxidant boost, just an hour before bed, can help you sleep better.
Is cantaloupe anti-inflammatory?
In every serving of cantaloupe you get beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. (Try saying all of those three times fast.) Gargiulo notes that antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, plus they ward off cancer-causing free radicals in the bod.
Does cantaloupe burn belly fat?
Cantaloupe doesn’t burn fat, but it can help you get leaner by reducing your energy intake. For example, you can use it as a substitute for bagels, chips, cookies and other snacks to cut back on carbs and stay full longer.
Does cantaloupe have a lot of sugar?
Cantaloupe
A cup of this delicious melon contains less than 13 grams of sugar. This may be a bit higher than other fruits, but keep in mind that a 12 ounce can of soda has nearly 40 grams of sugar, and very little nutritional value.
What is the healthiest fruit?
Top 10 healthiest fruits
- 1 Apple. A low-calorie snack, high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- 2 Avocado. The most nutritious fruit in the world.
- 3 Banana.
- 4 Citrus fruits.
- 5 Coconut.
- 6 Grapes.
- 7 Papaya.
- 8 Pineapple.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.