Buyer’s and storage guide. A
How do you pick a Spanish melon?
The secret to picking a good Piel de Sapo melon is to select a firm, yellowing olive-coloured melon with ample ‘netting’ or ‘cracking’ lines on the skin. This indicates that the melon has been harvested at its peak so its pale green-coloured flesh is sweet and ready to eat.
How do you know if a Piel de Sapo melon is ripe?
A Piel de Sapo melon is considered ripe when it is a deep yellow shade, rather than mostly green. In addition, the ends of the melon will become a little bit soft, yielding to pressure. Don’t expect to find the usual melon aroma as a sign of ripeness. The skin is too thick for this.
What does a ripe Santa Claus melon look like?
To tell if the fruit is ripe it should have a little give to it when you press on the stem ends, very similar to other melons. Because its rind is thick, the melon doesn’t give off an aroma when ripe. So it is hard to tell by smelling it. Some varieties will be a bright yellow color as well when ripe.
What does Spanish melon taste like?
It has a thick, green-striped outer rind and pale green to white inner flesh with a mild melon flavour and sweetness close to honeydew melons.
How can you tell if a melon is good?
“Knock” on the surface. Holding the melon in your hands, give the surface a light knock. It should have a deep hollow sound, which means the melon is ripe and juicy. Give it a Sniff.
Why do they call it a Santa Claus melon?
The name simply indicates the thick skin of the fruit helps it stay fresh all through summer, after which it can shipped to colder parts of the world where it will keep for another few months. The Kitchn compares the appearance of a Santa Claus melon to that of a watermelon which, when sliced into, has a pale flesh.
Is Piel de Sapo melon healthy?
The Piel de Sapo melon stands out for being rich in vitamin C. This antioxidant vitamin helps your body heal from and fight off infections. In addition, it is known to be high in water and potassium, which makes it an ideal fruit to eat to keep healthy blood pressure levels.
How do you cut a Piel de Sapo?
Cut the melon in half, then into slices or wedges and trim out the seed cavity. Serve as is, or cut off the skin, slice and cube. Use a special melon baller to scoop out the flesh, serve and enjoy.
What does Piel de Sapo melon taste like?
The Piel de Sapo has a thick green outer rind resembling the skin of a toad, a juicy white flesh, and a taste somewhere between a honeydew and a pear.
What is Santa Claus melon good for?
Santa Claus melons are an excellent source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and protect the cells against free radical damage.
Can you freeze Santa melon?
Melon can be frozen for around 6 months. You can freeze most melon varieties with ease and they can be frozen as chunks, slices or even as a puree.
Where does canary melon come from?
Canary melons are beautiful bright yellow hybrid melons that are commonly grown in parts of Asia including Japan and South Korea.
Can you give dogs melon skin?
Dogs shouldn’t eat the skin and rind from all varieties of melons including cantaloupes, watermelons, muskmelons, and honeydew melons. The rind and skin must be safely discarded to prevent your dog from eating it accidentally.
What is the green melon fruit called?
Honeydew melon
Honeydew melon, or honeymelon, is a fruit that belongs to the melon species cucumis melo (muskmelon). The sweet flesh of honeydew is typically light green, while its skin has a white-yellow tone.
How do you pick a ripe melon all the time?
It should feel heavy for its size and have a mild, sweet aroma. Pass on any with bruises or soft spots. If you happen to find small, dry, brown lines in little patches on the rind, that’s a good sign of sweetness, showing where sugar has slowly seeped out of the fruit.
How do you store melons?
Whole melon should be left at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe, place whole, uncovered melons, in the refrigerator. To store melon halves, cover tightly with either ClingWrap or Press’n Seal® wrap. To store cut melon, seal in a GladWare® food protection container and refrigerate.
How do you know when a melon goes bad?
If the melon seems empty inside or the rind is soft, it’s lost most of its water and it’s no good. Have large bruises or discolored areas. You can cut off some small damaged areas, but if a fourth of the rind is brown, it’s time for it to go.
Which is the sweetest melon?
Due to their similar taste and texture, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes. However, honeydew is slightly sweeter with a firm, green flesh, while cantaloupe has softer, orange flesh.
Is Christmas melon edible?
Christmas melon plants are native to Spain and require blazing sun and rich soil. The fruit is a muskmelon cultivar with a so-called “netted” skin. The sweet flesh is excellent for breakfast, a snack or even dessert.
How does Christmas melon look like?
Take one look at a Santa Claus melon and you’ll see it looks quite like a watermelon, only smaller and slightly oblong. Its yellow and green striped skin is netted like that of a honeydew (the term netted means slightly bumpy in texture). Under the skin you’ll find yellow-green (or sometimes peachy) colored flesh.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.