muskmelon
Also known as
cantaloupe, rock melon.
Description
Muskmelon is a round melon with firm, orange, moderately-sweet flesh and a thin reticulated light-brown rind. The cantaloupe originated in India and Africa and is, in actuality, really a muskmelon.Cantaloupe, common in the United States and in some parts of Canada, is Cucumis melo reticulatus (or sometimes C. melo var. cantalupensis), a different member of the same muskmelon species. It is named reticulates due to its net-like (or reticulated) skin covering. In Australia and New Zealand, it is called rock melon due to the rock-like appearance of the skin of the fruit. It belongs to the same family as the cucumber, squash, pumpkin and gourd, and like many of its relatives, grows on the ground on a trailing vine Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard.
Chopped muskmelon
refers to the finely chopped or roughly chopped muskmelon. They may be chopped with and without peel as per recipe requirements. Another interesting way of chopping melons would be to chop into big chunks or quarters.
Muskmelon balls
Making a perfect melon ball is quite easy. First, cut the melon in half. Second get your melon baller and press it in to the meat of the melon firmly. This will make the melon round from the start. Then lift the baller so it is standing in the melon strait up (Like you were opening a beer bottle with an opener). Then get the baller and turn it clockwise using your wrist and pull out and you would get yourself a perfect musk melon ball. They are served with cocktails or in salads.
Muskmelon cubes
Remove the outer rind and take out the fleshy interorrs. Deseed the melon and place the melon on the chopping board. Cut the muskmelon into small cubes with a sharp chopping knife and relish them as fresh fruit or a dessert.
Choosing a ripe melon depends on the preferences of the individual. If you tap the melon with the palm of your hand and hear a hollow sound, the melon has passed the first test. Choose a melon that seems heavy for its size, and one that does not have bruises or overly soft spots. The rind, underneath the netting, should have turned to yellow or cream from the green undertones that the unripe fruit has. The "full slip," the area where the stem was attached, should be smooth and slightly indented, free from remnants of the stem. The end opposite the full slip should be slightly soft, and you should be able to smell the fruit's sweetness subtly shining through, although be careful since an overly strong odor may be an indication of an overripe, fermented fruit. Muskmelon is so fragrant that you will be able to test for its aroma of ripeness even if you purchase already cut melons, packaged in a plastic container.
Culinary Uses· The orange, sugary and fragrant flesh makes this fruit popular both as a dessert or main course.
· Top melon slices with yogurt and chopped mint.
· Add melon puree with peeled peaches for a healthy cold soup.
· Enjoy the cubes in a fruit salad, with fresh cream or as a topping on icecream.
How to storeIt keeps well when stored in a cool, dry place and ripens after several days in a warm room. Be sure to refrigerate the muskmelon immediately after cutting.
Health benefits· It is no wonder that the muskmelon with its refreshingly rich flavour and aroma and minimal number of calories is the most popular variety of melon.
· Muskmelons are a source of polyphenol antioxidants,
· Muskmelon is an excellent source of vitamin A and is also a very good source of potassium and a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 and folate.
· Muskmelons also are an excellent source of vitamin C