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Cantaloupes
 One
of summer's favorite fruits, cantaloupe originated in Asia. European
settlers brought the first ones to America. A true cantaloupe has
a smooth surface, the melons we typically call cataloupes int he
United States are actually Musk Melons, but the two can be used
interchangeably.
These melons pack a nutritional powerhouse with a single serving
provising 80% of your dailey recommended allowances for Vitamins
A and C. Best of all, they;re fat and cholesterol free and very
low in calories (about 50 calories for about 1/4 of a small melon.
Tips for Choosing the Best Cantaloupe
- Look for a nice rounded shape.
- Golden colored melons are at the peak of ripeness.
- Green melons will ripen at room temperature in a couple of days.
- Choose a cantaloupe with evenly distributed "netting" or the
markings on the fruit's surface.
- If your melon has a stem or rough stem area, the cantaloupe
may have been harvested too early and may lack sweetness.
- Cantaloupe is grown on soil, so you may see a slightly whitened
area on one side of the cantaloupe which does not affect the quality
of the product.
- A ripe cantaloupe should give off a mild melon aroma.
Cantaloupe Recipes
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