Cantaloupes are a delicious, heat-loving melon with a relatively long growing season, making them especially well-suited for southern gardeners.(True cantaloupe has a rough, warty rind and is not widely grown or commercially available in the US and Canada.).
All of the melons start to show up around the same time, in June or July depending on where you live.Once picked, melons no longer get sweeter or tastier, so it is worth seeking ones out that ripened fully on the vine.As with most fruit, melons are picked before they fully ripen to give them more time and durability for transportation to grocery stores.So examine the stem end and look for one that is slightly set in to the fruit (indented), which is a sign it stayed on the vine longer.Also make sure it doesn't have any indication of being cut or torn from the vine, which you have to do if you pick it too early - like scarring from being ripped away, or stubby stems that are still attached.The main trick for these has to do with the patch of skin on the bottom where the melon was sitting in the dirt, on the vine.Consumer Reports analyzes all of the data from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pesticide tests.Cantaloupe from the US fall in to the 'high' health risk category, which means a small child would only need to eat 1-5 servings a day to exceed the known-to-be-safe limits of pesticide.Grilled halibut tacos with watermelon salsa - recipe by Heather Christo.Thai peanut chicken noodles with charred corn and lime watermelon - recipe by Half Baked Harvest.Honeydew and berries yogurt popsicles - recipe by Mommy's Home Cooking.
It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health.
Your attitude toward growing cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) and other melons is largely determined by where you live.In warmer hardiness zones a thriving "melon patch" is routine and expected, but in colder parts of the country it can be a challenge even for the best gardeners.If you garden in an area where autumn is a long, mild "Indian summer," the expected first frost date is a reasonable end to your season.Note when daytime temperatures dip into the 50s F and overnight lows into the 40s, and make that your end date.Blossoms will start to appear not quite midway through your cantaloupe's time to maturity, about 30 days for a short-season melon and 40 to 45 for longer-season cultivars.
The leaves are dried and encapsulated, or steeped in hot water to prepare a tea, which is a traditional treatment for malaria, hypertension, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes.According to information provided by Drugs.com, the plant contains vicine, charantin and an agent referred to as polypeptide P, all of which have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic mice as well as reduce insulin resistance.While these observations may support the historical use of bitter melon leaves to treat diabetes, the use of this herb may actually produce negative effects if you take medications to regulate your blood sugar.In fact, the results of a study published in the Jan.
One is like winning the lottery, the other is like losing a bet: Either you get to enjoy some of the freshest, juiciest fruit you've ever had, or you're stuck with a whole lot of lackluster melon that no one wants to eat—and you're out $5.However, there are plenty of subtle signs that can point you in the right direction, Katy Green, a produce field inspector at Whole Foods Market, tells SELF.She says that cantaloupes, honeydew, and watermelon are all non-climacteric fruits, which means that once they're harvested, they won't continue to become tastier or sweeter like peaches or bananas will."A bad melon could be one that was harvested too early or too late, held for too long post-harvest, or improperly handled," Green explains.Soft rinds, brownish colors, or excessive spotting or scarring can all indicate bad cantaloupes, honeydew, and watermelons.During the growing process, these spots start out white and gradually change color as the sugar content increases.
You could be growing a lot more, without any extra effort, using square foot gardening.Below we’ll give you a quick tutorial on plant spacing needs for different vegetables.So when you see a gardener with a raised bed that’s 4ft wide, you’ll know that savvy grower can always reach the middle of their growing area! .
Fast Facts Also known as: fuzzy squash and hairy gourd Place of origin: China Related to: winter melon.It is a type of edible wax gourd that is harvested when it is young, about one week after it blossoms.If left on the vine to mature, the fuzzy exterior disappears and it becomes known as winter melon.It is significantly smaller than a mature winter melon and has fuzzy skin; if left on the vine, the fuzz will dissipate and the gourd will grow in size.It is often sliced or cut into chunks before cooking and can be braised, stir-fried, steamed, and stuffed, as well as added to soups and stews.Fuzzy melon has a bit more flavor than zucchini with a subtle, slightly sweet taste.Fuzzy melon is sold year-round; it is grown in California and may be found in Asian and Chinese markets.Look for small gourds that are heavy for their size, firm to the touch without any soft spots, and free of wrinkles and dark markings.
Cantaloupe may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.Note: Melons are notorious for carrying bacteria from the ground as well as for causing diarrhea in babies, so wash well and start with small serving sizes.Cantaloupe goes by different names depending on where you are in the world: rock melon in Southeast Asia and Australia, spanspek in South Africa, and in North America, the name is commonly used for a muskmelon variety that has a grey, net-like rind and sweet orange flesh.Meanwhile in Europe, cantaloupes can sometimes have a smooth white rind with green ribbing and a sweeter orange flesh.Color, shape, and size differ depending on the variety, but all share a key characteristic: sweetness!Leila, 17 months, eats a large wedge of cantaloupe with the rind left intact.While cantaloupe doesn’t top the nutrition charts, it contains vitamins A and C—two powerful antioxidants that support cellular repair, eyesight, and immunity.In addition to offering essential nutrients, cantaloupe can also alleviate constipation in babies because they are mostly water, which helps move things along in their little digestive systems.At this age babies tend to shovel food into their mouths as they get confident and thin, long pieces help slow things down and encourage them to take bites.
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Cantaloupe Puree, a refreshing meal for babies 8 months and above on hot summer days.It’s better to introduce cantaloupe from 8 months or so, as melons are high in acidity, so they might cause rashes in some babies.If cantaloupe feels too hard and not ripe, leave it at room temperature for few days.
Cantaloupes are a delicious, heat-loving melon with a relatively long growing season, making them especially well-suited for southern gardeners.(True cantaloupe has a rough, warty rind and is not widely grown or commercially available in the US and Canada.).
Follow my simple directions and learn how to cut the perfect melon wedges, slices or bite-size pieces!The tutorial below is shown on a cantaloup, but you can use this on other melons like honeydew, Persian, or Crenshaw, too!Using a sharp knife, remove half an inch off the top and bottom of the melon.Starting from the top and following the contour of the melon, carefully slice the rind off with the knife, cutting about out one-quarter inch depth.The key is to keep it tightly wrapped, in a zip lock-type bag, or in a securely lidded container.Like tomatoes or avocados, unripe, whole melons need to be at room temperature to ripen properly.I love adding a slice of cantaloupe to my kids’ lunch plates.It is a cool, refreshing seasonal food that works as an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.Follow my simple directions and learn how to cut the perfect melon wedges, slices or bite-size pieces!5 from 168 votes Author Yumna Jawad Servings 12 servings Course Ingredient, Snack Calories 1 Prep Time 5 mins Total Time 5 mins Equipment Knife Block Set Cutting Board Ingredients 1x 2x 3x ▢ 1 Melon Instructions Lay the melon on its side on a cutting board.Using a sharp knife, remove half an inch off the top and bottom of the melon.Starting from the top, and following the contour of the melon, carefully peel the skin off with the knife, about ¼ inch in depth.Their thawed texture will be altered but they are excellent when frozen and thrown in smoothies.
Don’t plant until the ground temperature is above 70 degrees F, which typically occurs about the time peonies bloom in northern zones.This combination of nutrient-rich soil and premium plant food is an excellent way to ensure a great harvest!This creates a bed with a high-nitrogen soil base that is naturally warm because it generates a little heat as the manure composts.In yet another approach, some gardeners plant melons atop their compost piles to ensure a warm footing and adequate nitrogen.Trellising offers several advantages: Vines get better air circulation than on the ground, which reduces the chances of disease.Soaker hoses and drip irrigation deliver water directly to the soil, preventing possible spread of fungus diseases on wet foliage.Place ripening fruit on mulch, upturned coffee cans, or flower pots.If large critters such as groundhogs discover your melons, protect ripening fruits by covering them with plastic milk crates or similar boxes weighted down with a few bricks.In warmer climates with a long growing season, experienced growers often prune off all but one newly forming melon every 2 weeks.In colder regions, remove any blossoms that start to develop within 50 days of your area’s first average frost date.
The good news is that with a pinch of creativity and a dash of careful setup, anyone can train cantaloupe to grow vertically on a trellis of nearly any type.Plus, training them on a trellis keeps the fruits, vines, and leaves off the damp soil, helping to prevent fungal infections and pest infestations.If you’ve got the building skills, create an arched trellis that people can walk under when they visit your garden.The vines will climb all over it, giving the feeling of entering an enchanted wood whenever you pass under your archway.If you don’t have space or the building skills to create an arch or gazebo, any of the following structures will work:.And while a tall structure may be ideal for some, you can use a smaller one, like this little green cage I got for some of my cantaloupe to grow on:.Some of the soil under the first wire ring came loose, which made my breath catch in my throat for a moment, but ultimately I don’t believe the roots were disturbed.If you have the same issue, you’ll want to fix it before the melons start forming so you don’t disturb the fruit.If you live in a warmer climate – around Zone 7 and up – direct-sow your seeds right next to your trellis as soon as there’s no threat of frost in the forecast.If you’re like me and live in a colder growing zone, you’ll start your seeds indoors about four weeks before your last frost date.My final step was to leave them in the garden, which receives a ton of sunlight, keeping an eye on them to make sure they didn’t wilt.To transplant them into the garden, I secured the cage in the soil and dug a hole in the middle as deep and wide as the pot I started the plant in.Once baby melons begin to form, I’ll keep an eye on the structures to make sure they can support the fruit.When the fruits reach the size of a small fist, I’ll put them in these melon nets from Amazon, wrapping the mesh around the wires and the bamboo hoop for extra support.Melon Nets, Available from Amazon The vines will naturally weave through whatever you train them onto, whether it’s a lattice fence or a bamboo pole.But if you notice any wayward vines, simply move them back where you want them to go and secure them with stretchy plant ties.The convenient thing about raising them on a trellis is that you’ll be able to see them more easily than you would if they were growing on the ground, and make sure to catch them at the perfect point of ripeness.
With only three ingredients and no-cooking required, this prosciutto and melon appetizer is one of the easiest, amazingly delicious summer dish!You'll love the flavor combination of sweet, ripe cantaloupe and salty prosciutto ham.Things like a mezze platter with white bean hummus, fresh veggies, and pita chips; antipasti skewers with mozzarella and olives; or even something much simpler like this prosciutto and melon, all fall under that category of delicious ideas worth sharing.And you'll love the mouthwatering combination of flavors that requires zero cooking and literally 3 ingredients to make (4 with fresh herb garnish).So today, we talk about prosciutto e melone, a mouthwatering combo that requires no-cooking and literally three ingredients and a little garnish.People of the Mediterranean, and I will say particularly in Italy, have been pairing sweet, perfectly ripe fruit with salty, cured meats for quite some time.I like to serve melon and prosciutto as a starter or even a composed salad on a large platter with basil leaves and more honey in a separate bowl to allow everyone to add as they please.You can make this a little bit ahead and keep it chilled for an hour or two, but do take it out of the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before you plan to serve it.
The watermelon belongs to the gourd family, and has good nutritional value and is a great source of lycopene, which reduces your risk of cancer and heart disease.Large quantities may cause blood sugar levels to rise considerably,” says Anshika Gupta, who is a diabetes educator on the app BeatO, and is based out of Delhi.Antioxidants help prevent any damage to the body and amino acids are required as the basic building blocks for protein synthesis.Lycopene is beneficial for heart and bone health and helps prevents prostate cancer,” says Anuj Vats, a Delhi-based nutritionist at Shvas the Body Architecture.
Don’t plant until the ground temperature is above 70 degrees F, which typically occurs about the time peonies bloom in northern zones.This combination of nutrient-rich soil and premium plant food is an excellent way to ensure a great harvest!This creates a bed with a high-nitrogen soil base that is naturally warm because it generates a little heat as the manure composts.In yet another approach, some gardeners plant melons atop their compost piles to ensure a warm footing and adequate nitrogen.Trellising offers several advantages: Vines get better air circulation than on the ground, which reduces the chances of disease.Soaker hoses and drip irrigation deliver water directly to the soil, preventing possible spread of fungus diseases on wet foliage.Place ripening fruit on mulch, upturned coffee cans, or flower pots.If large critters such as groundhogs discover your melons, protect ripening fruits by covering them with plastic milk crates or similar boxes weighted down with a few bricks.In warmer climates with a long growing season, experienced growers often prune off all but one newly forming melon every 2 weeks.In colder regions, remove any blossoms that start to develop within 50 days of your area’s first average frost date.
Sweet, juicy cantaloupe fruit can be yours with the right combination of sun, soil, and—something that's a little hard to control—pollination.This sweet member of the melon family can be grown at home with tender care and a little luck.You can start cantaloupe seeds in pots indoors several weeks before your last frost date, but melons are particularly sensitive to root disturbance; the vine growth might be stunted if you're not careful when transplanting them outdoors.If you don't receive that much rain weekly, water deeply but infrequently to reach that amount.As fruits mature, gradually reduce and stop watering because too much moisture can cause the rinds to split.For female flowers to set fruit, pollen must be carried by bees during a small window of time when pollination can occur.Instead, watch for signs it is ready to be harvested, then gently twist the fruit from the stem.Grocery store cantaloupes that still have little stems attached were harvested too early and probably won't be very sweet.
The sweet flesh of honeydew is typically light green, while its skin has a white-yellow tone.
Yes, the tasty melon is safe for pups to eat in moderation and can be a healthy alternative to traditional treats, especially if your dog is overweight.It is also low in calories and high in water content, making it a tasty way to rehydrate without packing on the pounds.The high water and fiber content in cantaloupe also promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation and dehydration.Here at the AKC, we field many queries from anxious dog owners about what is and isn’t safe for their canine companions to eat.
Sweet, juicy cantaloupe fruit can be yours with the right combination of sun, soil, and—something that's a little hard to control—pollination.This sweet member of the melon family can be grown at home with tender care and a little luck.Once seedlings emerge, keep only the strongest individual plant in each group, pulling the rest.You can start cantaloupe seeds in pots indoors several weeks before your last frost date, but melons are particularly sensitive to root disturbance; the vine growth might be stunted if you're not careful when transplanting them outdoors.As fruits mature, gradually reduce and stop watering because too much moisture can cause the rinds to split.For female flowers to set fruit, pollen must be carried by bees during a small window of time when pollination can occur.Instead, watch for signs it is ready to be harvested, then gently twist the fruit from the stem.Grocery store cantaloupes that still have little stems attached were harvested too early and probably won't be very sweet.
In addition to its sharp flavor and distinct appearance, bitter melon has been associated with several impressive health benefits.
A summer fruit favorite, melons are the perfect sweet treat no matter the time of day.It's a long muskmelon native to China with a sweeter, crisper taste than a typical cantaloupe.When it comes to picking the perfect melon, look for locally grown options at the market through fall.
Cantaloupe melons have a fairly soft exterior skin that can be easily punctured and penetrated.When properly stored, the shelf life of fresh cantaloupe past their picked or purchased date is approximately ...
Fruit is nature’s ready-made snack packed with vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients that support a healthy diet.Fruit is also generally low in calories and high in fiber, which may help you lose weight.What’s more, grapefruit has a low glycemic index (GI), which means it releases sugar into your bloodstream more slowly.Additionally, a recent review found that grapefruit consumption reduced body fat, waist circumference, and blood pressure compared to control groups ( 7 ).Additionally, an observational study in 124,086 individuals determined that people who ate apples lost an average of 1.24 pounds (0.56 kg) per daily serving over a four-year period ( 9 ).Research shows that apples are best eaten whole — rather than juiced — to reduce hunger and control appetite ( 11 ).That said, two studies link apple juice to reductions in body fat compared to a control drink with the same number of calories.Apple polyphenol extract — made from one of the fruit’s natural compounds — has also been linked to reduced cholesterol levels ( 12 , 13 , 14 ).One small study found that people given a 65-calorie berry snack ate less food at a subsequent meal than those given candy with the same number of calories ( 15 ).Both fresh or frozen berries can be added to cereal or yogurt for breakfast, blended in a healthy smoothie, mixed into baked goods, or tossed in a salad.Stone fruits are low-GI, low-calorie, and rich in nutrients like vitamins C and A — which make them great for people trying to lose weight (2).Compared to unhealthy snack foods like chips or cookies, stone fruits are a more nutrient-dense, filling option.It has a tough outer rind — purple or yellow in color — with an edible, pulpy seed mass inside.Fiber slows down your digestion, helping you feel fuller for longer and controlling your appetite ( 18 ).Additionally, passion fruit seeds provide piceatannol, a substance linked to reductions in blood pressure and improved insulin sensitivity in overweight men.Additionally, rhubarb fiber may help reduce high cholesterol, which is a common problem for people who struggle with their weight.In a study in 83 people with atherosclerosis — a disease of the arteries — those given 23 mg of dried rhubarb extract per pound of body weight (50 mg per kg) for six months experienced a significant decrease in cholesterol and improved blood vessel function ( 20 ).in calories and high in fiber, may aid weight loss and help lower cholesterol.Diets high in fiber from fruits and vegetables have been shown to promote weight loss, increase fullness and improve gut health ( 33 ).Though low in calories, melons are rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lycopene ( 1 , 34 ).Moreover, consuming fruits with high water content may help you shed extra weight ( 35 ).While bananas are more calorie-dense than many other fruits, they are also more nutrient-dense, supplying potassium, magnesium, manganese, fiber, numerous antioxidants, and vitamins A, B6, and C ( 1 , 39 , 40 ).Their low to medium GI may help control insulin levels and regulate weight — particularly for people who have diabetes (2, 3 , 4 , 41 ).Bananas can be enjoyed on their own as a convenient on-the-go snack or added either raw or cooked to a wide variety of dishes.nutrients and fiber make them an ideal part of a healthy weight loss plan.Other studies have found that eating avocados can increase feelings of fullness, decrease appetite, and improve cholesterol levels ( 44 , 45 ).Additionally, a large study of American eating patterns revealed that people who ate avocados tended to have healthier diets, a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, and lower body weights than people who didn’t eat them ( 46 ).