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.
What parts of cantaloupe are edible?
Inside, the cantaloupe bears a beautiful pale pinkish-orange flesh and a center full of seeds and mush, which can be scooped out before the fruit is eaten*. This fruit is juicy and has a sweet, floral, and slightly musky flavor. *While the seeds and mush are perfectly edible, they are typically discarded as waste.
What is the green part of a cantaloupe?
The inner lining of the rind is green and the flesh of the ripe fruit is orange. The presence of indentations on the surface of a cantaloupe means that an important precaution should be taken before using it. The outer surface of the rind can trap harmful bacteria and should be washed carefully before it’s cut.
Is green cantaloupe edible?
Your cantaloupe is ripe and ready to eat if:
the skin between the netting turned from green to yellow. the fruit has a strong sweet aroma.
When should you not eat cantaloupe?
Check the cantaloupe’s smell
Smelling a cantaloupe (also known as a muskmelon or a rockmelon) is one of the recommended ways to tell if it is ripe or has gone bad. A perfectly ripe melon will have a sweet, kind of musky aroma that you can gather emanating through the rind.
What is cantaloupe rind good for?
Cantaloupe rinds can be added to a compost pile along with other plant-based yard and food wastes. They’ll break down within a few weeks or months to make a rich soil amendment. Add a few cantaloupe rinds per week only to the compost heap because the rinds are bulky and take longer to decompose than other materials.
How do you eat unripe cantaloupe?
Uses for an Unripe Cantaloupe
- Turning it into a soup — with mangos, or a white gazpacho with grapes and almonds.
- Making a melon jam or chutney.
- Using it as a thick base for a smoothie, or blending it with lime juice and honey for cantaloupe agua fresca.
What happens if I eat too much cantaloupe?
If there is too much potassium to process at once, you can develop a condition known as hyperkalemia. 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.
Why is cantaloupe a Superfood?
Like an orange, cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps our immune system. It is also a good source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber, folate, niacin, and potassium, which help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and metabolism.
Is cantaloupe an anti inflammatory food?
Compounds called phytonutrients in cantaloupes give it anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a good part of a healthy diet.
Can cantaloupe ripen after you cut it?
Can a cantaloupe ripen after it was cut? Yes. Cantaloupe will ripen after being cut from the vine, but will not increase in sweetness.
Can cantaloupe make you sick?
Melons and food poisoning
While melons do not naturally contain bacteria that can make you sick, their outer skin or rind can become contaminated because melons are grown close to the ground. Eating melons that have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick.
Can you eat the rind of a cantaloupe?
Eating thin skin of various fruits and vegetables increases the nutrient and fiber content, however, thick skins such as those found on melons are not intended to be eaten. Be sure to rinse melons under cold running water to remove any bacteria or dirt on the surface of the skin.
Should I 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.
Should you wash cantaloupe?
Washing and serving
To prevent spoilage and mold growth during storage, it is best to wash cantaloupes just before you eat or prepare them. Even though you do not eat the rind, it is important to wash the cantaloupe before you cut it. First, wash your hands with hot, soapy water for 20 seconds.
Is cantaloupe good for weight loss?
Medicinal Melons
Melons, such as cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba and watermelon, are a dieter’s delight. A 3.5-ounce serving of cantaloupe, for example, contains only 34 calories and 8 grams of carbohydrate.
Does cantaloupe make you poop?
Promotes Digestion
Cantaloupes have a high amount of dietary fiber, which is an essential component of healthy bowel movements and digestive health. Eating a proper amount of dietary fiber can bulk up your stool, reduce constipation, and make your bowel movements regular.
Is cantaloupe a good laxative?
Cantaloupe has a high water content and provides fiber. Fiber and water can help prevent constipation, promoting regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
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.
Can melon ripen after you cut it?
Will a honeydew melon ripen once it’s cut? Nope. Unfortunately, melons don’t ripen after they’re harvested, so what you buy is what you get. But if you slice into a honeydew and it happens to be underripe, don’t despair.
Can you eat under ripe melon?
Eating watermelon that isn’t fully ripe isn’t dangerous, but it’s not as good as a ripe melon. The first factor is obviously taste — there’s no point in snacking on a flavorless watermelon. But in addition to flavor, ripe melons also have more nutrients than unripe ones.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.