All About Melons

August 04, 2010
Credit: Stephanie Frey
From how to choose the best, to using melons in summer-fresh recipes
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How to choose a ripe melon

Credit: Photo: Wendy Connett/Flickr/Getty Images
Want to choose the best? Look for a symmetrical melon heavy for its size and free of blemishes or soft spots. Roll it around and check for the couche (the spot where it rested on the ground while growing). It should be readily identifiable. Don't see one? The melon's not yet mature. Last, find the spot where the stem was attached. Clean indentations should appear on melons that detached naturally from the vine, like watermelons.

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Store watermelon to bring out its best

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Watermelons don't ripen after picking, but they do continue to develop nutrients. Lycopene and beta-carotene—plant nutrients thought to benefit human health—increase in a whole melon stored at room temperature. One cup already contains more of both than a medium-sized tomato.

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Melon ice cubes add a splash of color

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Once cut, fresh melons only last a day or two, so if you won't finish a big one before it spoils, puree seeded chunks in a blender or food processor. Pour mixture into ice-cube trays, and freeze until solid. Use the cubes to dress up lemonade, or try our favorite pairing: watermelon ice cubes in a minty-fresh mojito.
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Try fridge-friendly sizes

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
No room for a 20-pound watermelon? Pureheart and Sugar Baby are crossbred micromelons that grow to the size of a cantaloupe or smaller. Flavor can vary and depends largely on proper harvesting, so buy from someone you trust.

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Is it a cantaloupe or a muskmelon?

It's both. The names are used interchangeably; it has khaki-colored netted rind and pale-orange flesh. Muskmelon is also a category, though, which include cantaloupes, melons with netted rinds, and some smooth-skinned melons, like honeydew.

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How some watermelons got seedless

Selective breeding yielded fruit whose seeds produce seedless fruit—an evolutionary dead end but a great time-saver in the kitchen. Look for varieties like Ruby Bliss, Crimson Trio, and Summer Sweet. Not favored by backyard seed-spitters.
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Four other melons worth the cut

1. Crenshaw: Salmon-pink flesh yields a sweet, rich taste and slightly spicy aroma. These melons are large, weighing up to 10 pounds. Peak season: August through September.

2. Galia (pictured): The light-green flesh inside this melon is sweeter than that of the American cantaloupe; it's often reserved for dessert. Peak season: May through August.

3. Sprite:  This grapefruit-sized melon has sweet, crisp ivory flesh, the taste of which contains hints of watermelon, honeydew, and pear—but much sweeter. Peak season: June and July.

4. Orange-Fleshed Honeydew: A luscious cross between cantaloupe and honeydew, with a slightly creamy flavor. Look for a smooth, whitish rind with a waxy texture. Peak season: May through August.

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An easier way to slice

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Stand your melon up: It's much easier

Step 1: Place washed melon on a cutting board, and use a sharp, heavy knife to slice about one inch from the stem end to make a stable cutting surface.

Tip: Always rinse a melon before slicing. Melons are grown in dirt and frequently handled: They may look clean but can harbor bacteria on the skin—especially netted varieties like cantaloupe. Thoroughly rinse so you don't transfer bacteria to fruit when cutting.

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Stand it up

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Step 2: Stand the melon up, cut side down, and vertically slice the melon in half. (At that point, remove and discard the seeds from cantaloupes.)
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Slice

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Step 3: Lay halves cut side down, and make 1-inch cuts through the melon. All cut melon should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.

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Easy summer melon salsa

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Mix 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Add 3 cups diced seeded melon (use any ripe melon or combination of melons you like), 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced. Toss gently to combine; cover and chill until ready to serve.

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Watermelon Salad

Credit: Photo: Douglas Mirriam
Olives and feta cheese provide a briny counterpoint to the sweet watermelon. Try serving this savory salad on a bed of greens.

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Watermelon and Cucumber Tonic

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
Gin and tonics are great, but they're a bit staid for a summer celebration. So, we added watermelon, lemon, cucumber, and mint to create this sweet, refreshing and gorgeously pink cocktail. It'll be a hit at any outdoor party, and you can always leave out the gin for a virgin version.

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Watermelon Gazpacho

Credit: Stephanie Frey
View Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho

Try using watermelon wherever you might use a tomato. For example, Watermelon Gazpacho pairs watermelon with traditional gazpacho elements such as cucumber, bell pepper, and onion in a sweet and savory chilled soup.

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