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Selecting A Melon




Source of Recipe


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Muskmelons:


Cantaloupe - Make sure the melon has no bruises or discolorations. It's OK for there to be a "bleached" side where the melon rested on the ground. Look for a cantaloupe with a prominent, evenly distributed corky "netting." Depending on the variety, this "netting" will be either buff or light tan color on either a green, yellow or grey background. The stem end should be smooth, slightly sunken and well rounded. The blossom end should yield slightly when pressed. The sign of a ripe melon is a sweet, musky aroma. The flesh is usually orange, but some varieties have a green flesh.

Honeydew - The melon should have a creamy yellow color when picked. If the melon is green, it will never ripen. The skin should have the feeling of velvet and the blossom end should feel slightly springy. The flesh should be green, juicy, sweet and have a "melting" quality in the mouth.

Persian - The Persian melon looks like a large flattened canteloupe. When ripe, the blossom end is soft and the shell is mauvish with netted skin. The flesh is orange.

Crenshaw - Select a crenshaw melon that is globe-shaped with a pointed, slightly wrinkled stem end. The smooth green skin changes to yellow-gold in color when it is ripe. The flesh is very sweet with a slightly spicy aroma.

Storage

Muskmelons can be held a day or two at room temperature until they ripen. When the blossom end yields to gentle thumb pressure, store in the refrigerator.



Watermelon:

Watermelons are 92% water which obviously account for most of their weight.

1.It is extremely difficult to tell if a watermelon is ripe from its outside appearance.
Examine the spot where the melon has been resting on the ground. A yellow-white or creamy spot indicates ripeness-white or pale green suggests immaturity.
2.Free of bruises, cuts and dents.
3.Choose a melon with a smooth surface, dull sheen and well rounded ends.
Some experts recommend a "hollow" sound when tapped indicates ripeness. Others feel that "thumping" will not necessarily get you a ripe melon.
Many people purchase cut melons to judge ripeness from inside appearance. The more red flesh and less white rind, the riper the melon.
White seeds usually indicate the melon was picked too early.