The Santa Claus melon, sometimes known as Christmas melon or Piel de Sapo (Toad Skin), is a variety of melon (family Cucurbitaceae, Cucumis melo, Inodorus group) originating in Spain that grows to about a foot in length and is ovoid in shape.
Santa Claus melon.
| Cucumis melon ‘Sancho’ | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Spain |
What is a Santa Claus fruit?
The Santa Claus melon, Piel de Sapo, or Christmas melon originated in Spain and is a cultivar of Muskmelon. It grows to be about a foot long and usually oblong in shape. It has a thick rind that resembles a toad skin, hence the name Piel de Sapo. So why is it called, Santa Claus melon?
Are Santa Claus melons good?
Santa Claus melon, also know as Christmas melon, or piel de sapo in Spanish, is another favorite fruit of mine. It is a deliciously hydrating fruit.
How do you make Santa Claus melon?
Simply cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds and strings. Melons can be cut into halves, quarters, wedges, cubes, or scooped into balls with a melon baller. Most melons will benefit from a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to enhance the flavor and served at room temperature.
Why are they called Santa Claus melons?
The ripest Santa Claus melon will have soft blossom ends that yield to gentle pressure and a vibrant yellow hue. This melon was named in English as recognition of its long keeping qualities, i.e., “until Christmas”.
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.
Do Santa Claus melons ripen after picking?
Mine took 6-8 weeks to ripen, so be patient. By then the blossom end (apex) was quite soft. This is the best test for ripeness. When fully ripe, the Santa Claus melon will have a vibrant yellow hue and a soft blossom end (apex) that yields to gentle pressure.
Are Santa Claus melons sweet?
Santa Claus melons, when ripe, will feel heavy for their size, bear a bright yellow hue, and the blossom end will yield slightly under pressure. The flesh contains a mild, refreshing, and sugary-sweet flavor with a subtly earthy nuance.
What does a 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’s the name of the yellow melon?
Canary melon
The Canary melon (Cucumis melo (Inodorus group)) or winter melon is a large, bright-yellow elongated melon with a pale green to white inner flesh.
What is Tuscan melon?
Tuscan Style® cantaloupes are a hybrid variety created from Italian melons belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The netted melons are known for their musky aroma and are a seasonal summer favorite, valued for their sweet flavor and juicy flesh.
How many varieties of melon are there?
Did you know that melons have been around for more than 4,000 years? In fact, there are nearly 40 types of melons out there, and we’re on a mission to taste as many of them as we can. Here are 20 kinds to look out for, plus recipes to try with each one.
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.
Which melons are best for diabetics?
04/1110 Best fruits for diabetics
Melons: Water melon, muskmelon or honeydew; pick any melon as it is rich in vitamin B and C, as well as beta-carotene, potassium and lycopene. A slice of any of these melons will give you the necessary vitamins you need.
What melon is best for you?
Both cantaloupe and honeydew melon are good choices, though cantaloupe contains more antioxidants. A good choice to reduce your risk of foodborne illness is the variety of melon with the honeydew melon rind and cantaloupe flesh.
How do you cut a Piel de Sapo melon?
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.
How many calories are in a Santa Claus melon?
61 calories
Santa Claus melon (1 cup) contains 15.5g total carbs, 14g net carbs, 0.2g fat, 0.9g protein, and 61 calories.
Can you eat Piel de Sapo melon seeds?
How to use Piel de Sapo Melon. Also known as the Santa Clause melon and Christmas melon, it is easy to prepare to eat. You can split the melon in half, scoop out the seeds and then scoop out pieces of melon to eat. These melons make a great breakfast food, as well as a good desert.
What does fire melon taste like?
The seeds of the Fire Melon can be harvested, dried and ground into a bright red powder with a taste similar to that of the flesh of the melon: sweet and spicy.
How long does Santa Claus melon last?
Store unopened melons on your counter for up to two months and cut melons in the refrigerator for three to five days.
How do you grow a Santa Claus melon from seed?
Direct-sow at least 2 weeks after the danger of frost has passed and both the weather and soil are reliably warm. Melons are heavy feeders: amend soil with fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Plant 3 seeds per hill, with hills 2′ to 3′ apart in full sunlight. Thin to the strongest seedlings.
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.