If you’ve never prepared or cooked with cantaloupe, the first thing you should know about it is that it’s a versatile fruit that’s surprisingly low in carbs. It acts as a wonderful source of vitamin A, vitamin C and folate. If you want to learn how to get more out of your cantaloupe and how to prepare it properly, this guide will cover all of the most important information you need to know. So read on to find out more.
Pick Cantaloupes That Are Heavy and Firm
Whether you’re going to be picking cantaloupe yourself or simply making your selection at the local grocery store, it makes sense to know what to look for. When you’re buying a cantaloupe to take home with you, you should be looking for one that’s not yet ripe, giving you the chance to ripen it at home. It should feel firm when you press it and quite heavy.
Store Them at Room Temperature Until Ripe
When you’re back home with your cantaloupe and you’re wondering how to store it, it’s very simple. You just need to keep the cantaloupe at room temperature. That changes when the cantaloupe is ripe and has been cut open. At that point, the correct method of storage is in the refrigerator where it will keep well for around a week.
Understand the Preparation Process
Preparing and cutting open your cantaloupe should be done carefully. First of all make sure that it’s ripe and has softened; you shouldn’t cut into the fruit before that point. When ready to cut into it, first cut the rind of the base so that it can sit on the chopping board with ease. This will make it easier to cut without slipping. You can then remove the rind completely with the knife before scooping out the seeds and slicing the cantaloupe into square chunks.
Don’t Throw Away the Seeds
When you’ve scooped out the seeds, don’t make the mistake of throwing them away. They can be used in a variety of ways when cooking. In that way, they’re similar to pumpkin seeds, so avoid unnecessary waste and keep hold of them. They can be roasted and turned into a great snack if you don’t want to do anything more elaborate with them.
Make Both Sweet and Savory Dishes with Cantaloupe
There are so many ways to make use of Cantaloupe. They’re great in all kinds of fruit salads and smoothies. And they make an ideal healthy snack, especially when you need to stay hydrated. But don’t overlook how they can be used in savory dishes too. This vegan ceviche recipe proves how versatile they can be.
Cantaloupe is a wonderfully versatile fruit, and hopefully, the information detailed above will help you to get the most of it. It’s one of those fruits that’s often overlooked and many don’t quite understand the true range of its potential. It’s time for you to change that and follow the advice we’ve discussed today.
