Cantaloupe is a sweet juicy summer fruit that has a peachy orange flash and a hard yellowish webbed skin. It belongs to the same plant family as melons, pumpkins, squashes, etc.
Due to its incredibly delicious flavor and smooth texture, raw cantaloupe is the best for making delectable treats.
Cooked cantaloupe can be used for making smoothies, sorbets, cocktails, shakes, and fruit salads.
This yummy fruit comes in between June and August. Though, some cantaloupe lovers buy bulk and store it for autumn and winter.
The best possible way to store the cantaloupes is freezing because they have high water content and are simple to freeze. Frozen cantaloupes can last for 10-12 months easily.
If you want to enjoy the best texture and taste of cantaloupe, try to freeze fresh ones. It will keep them firm and maintain their nutritional value.
What is cantaloupe and what does it taste like?
Cantaloupe is a tropical fruit that has distinctive sweet and juicy flesh with a yellowish webbed exterior. It usually grows on low and thick veins.
This super delicious fruit belongs to the same plant family as grounds, squashes, watermelons, etc.
Cantaloupes grow in almost all countries of the world especially China, America, Africa, Europe, Canada, Mexico, etc. The peak season of their growth is from June to August.
You can use ripe cantaloupes for making salads, desserts, cocktails, chutneys, and drinks. Frozen cubes of this fruit can be used in smoothies, shakes, and sorbets for enhancing their delicacy and flavor.
Types of cantaloupe
There are multiple types of cantaloupes available in the market. All these types vary in their distinctive flavors, the color of flesh, texture, sizes, etc.
The most popular types of cantaloupes are as follows;
Asian cantaloupe
The Asian cantaloupe has a peachy orange flavourful flash with a delicate aroma. The outer covering is webbed and yellowish. Asian cantaloupe has a bit more crispy flesh than other variants.
Some people believe that the origin of cantaloupe is Asia, specifically Persia where it is known as Hami melon.
European cantaloupe
European cantaloupes are known as Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis. They are popular because of their tough and grey-green skin that has no crisscross patterns like Asian cantaloupes.
These cantaloupes have a sweet musky taste with a sweet smell. The flash of these cantaloupes is orange, softer, and juicy.
North American cantaloupe
North American cantaloupe differs from other variants because of its rough yellowish exterior. Unlike European and Asian variants, the rind of these cantaloupes is not very tough to peel.
As soon as these cantaloupes become ripe, the netting becomes more visible and the color covering turns tan. Like European cantaloupes, the flash of North American variants is sweet, musky, and juicy with a sweet smell.
Most people believe that North American and European cantaloupes are almost the same in their taste and odor. They only differ because of their outer covering and their patterns.
Can you freeze cantaloupe?
Yes, you can freeze the cantaloupes. Due to the high water content, cantaloupes are best for freezing.
Freezing the fresh cantaloupe boosts its texture and flavor. It makes the flash firm and preserves its color.
For freezing the cantaloupes, rinse them properly with fresh water to clean the germs and dust present on their skin. Cut the cantaloupe from its center into two parts and scope the seeds with a spoon.
Cut the slices of cantaloupe and dip them in sugar syrup before freezing. Sugar syrup will work best in preserving the original taste and color of the fruit.
Instead of freezing the cantaloupe chunks in one container, divide them into small portions and pack them in different bags to reduce the risks of spoilage.
How to freeze cantaloupe?
Freezing is an easy way to keep the fruits fresh for longer. Cantaloupes are extremely simple and quick to freeze because of their high water content.
To freeze the cantaloupe;
- Pick the fresh cantaloupes that have a yellowish spotless firm rind.
- Wash the cantaloupes thoroughly with cold water and soap to eliminate the germs and dust on the skin.
- Take a sharp knife and cut the fruit through its center.
- Take a spoon and scoop the seeds.
- Remove the skin and cube the cantaloupe.
- Place the cubes on a baking tray and place them in the freezer overnight.
- Remove the cubes from the freezer and transfer them into airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Add sugar syrup to the bags for preserving the flavors and texture of cantaloupe.
- Squeeze excess air out of the bags or containers.
- Place the containers in the freezer and enjoy them for 10 months.
Before using the frozen cantaloupes cubes in desserts and salads, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
How long do cantaloupes last?
Freshly sliced cantaloupes can last for 5-7 days in the refrigerator while the whole cantaloupes can last for 10 days.
If you keep the cantaloupes in the freezer, they can last for 10-12 months. Freezing will preserve their original texture, quality, and nutritional value.
Once you thaw the frozen cantaloupe, eat it within 3-4 days because it can cause foodborne illness that can be fatal.
How to defrost cantaloupes?
Defrosting the frozen cantaloupes is not a difficult task. All you have to do is; remove the container or plastic bag containing cubes of cantaloupes from the freezer. Put the container into a plate or bowl and place it in the refrigerator overnight for thawing.
You can use thawed cubes of cantaloupe for making desserts, in fruit cocktails, salads, and food dishes.
If you are planning to make sorbet, smoothie, or any other refreshing drink, use the frozen cantaloupe cubes directly. It will make your drink icy and extremely flavourful.
Make sure you never leave the frozen cantaloupes at room temperature for thawing because it will encourage bacterial growth and deteriorate the texture & taste.
Can you refreeze the cantaloupes?
Refreezing the cantaloupes is not a great idea because it encourages the growth of harmful bacteria which dramatically changes the texture and flavor of the fruit.
These toxic microorganisms can also make you sick. Therefore, instead of refreezing thawed cantaloupe, eat it or throw it out.
How to use leftover cantaloupes?
Cantaloupe is a delicious, refreshing, and versatile summer fruit that you can use in multiple ways. For instance, you can make smoothies, salads, and jams from them. It is a great way to add essential vitamins and minerals to your diet.
You can bake pies and add them to cerelac for boosting their texture and making them a sweet, juicy, and healthy treat.
Which recipes can you make with cantaloupes?
Cantaloupe is a versatile fruit with a distinctive flavor and delicate aroma. You can eat it raw or you can cook it with different ingredients at low heat to enhance its delicacy.
There are hundreds of incredible recipes that you can make with fresh cantaloupes. Some of which are as follows;
- Cantaloupe agua fresca
- Cantaloupe granita
- Chilled cantaloupe soup
- Strawberry pineapple cantaloupe smoothie
- Mint jicama cantaloupe salad
- Carrot cantaloupe juice
- Tiki cantaloupe coconut cocktail
- Savoury shaved cantaloupe salad
- Salted honey cantaloupe jam
- Cantaloupe mint sorbet
How to tell if cantaloupes have gone rancid?
When the cantaloupe goes bad, it changes its color and texture dramatically. Whole cantaloupes in the fridge start releasing an unpleasant smell and large dark spots appear on the rind.
Whereas the sliced cantaloupe changes its peachy orange color to dark brown and the texture becomes slimy with an off smell.
If you see any of these spoilage signs in the stored cantaloupes, discard them as soon as possible.
Are cantaloupe seeds edible?
Yes, the cantaloupe seeds are edible whether they are raw or roasted. They are mildly salt in flavor and crunchy in texture.
These seeds are a great source of nutrition for the body because they contain high amounts of essential vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, and K and minerals such as zinc, potassium, magnesium, selenium, etc.
Normally people prefer roasting the cantaloupe seeds with salt, black pepper, or other seasonings for enhancing their overall taste and texture.
You can use these seeds in salads, meals, and cocktails. Moreover, you can add roasted cantaloupe seeds in drinks like smoothies, shakes, tea, etc to make them more healthy and inviting.
FAQs
What are the benefits of cantaloupes?
Like other fruits, cantaloupe is an amazing fruit with multiple benefits. The high water content in it hydrates the skin and makes it glowing & younger.
The antioxidants present in cantaloupe help to fight serious health problems like diabetes, arthritis, cardiac diseases, etc.
Potassium relaxes the blood vessels and maintains the blood pressure whereas the fibers improve bowel movement and digestive health.
Can you freeze cantaloupe seeds?
Yes, you can freeze cantaloupe seeds. Scoop the seed out of the cantaloupe, clean & dry them, put them in a jar and freeze. This method of freezing seeds will keep them fresh for a long period.
These seeds are edible. You can use these frozen seeds after roasting them properly. Cantaloupe seeds are a great addition to desserts, smoothies, stews, salads, and soups because they make them flavourful.
How to pick fresh cantaloupes?
While picking fresh cantaloupes, here are a few essential things that you should check;
Smell
The fresh cantaloupes have a strong, sweet, and slightly musky smell.
Weight
Hold the cantaloupe and check its weight. It should be heavy.
Colour
Pick the cantaloupes that have beige, golden, or yellowish webbed skin.
Sound
Tap the fruit with your fingers. The sound should be low and solid.
How to make cantaloupe sorbet?
Freezing the cantaloupe enhances its texture and flavor. Its frozen cubes can be used to make different refreshing drinks such as smoothies, ice teas, shakes, and desserts.
Cantaloupe sorbet is a tasty icy summer delight. It is an easy and quick recipe that you can make to satisfy the cravings of children.
Ingredients
The ingredients you need to make sorbet are written below;
- Cantaloupe cubes
- Water
- Sugar or honey
- Lemon juice
Method
- Take a small pan and pour water into it.
- Add sugar and stir until it fully dissolves.
- Transfer it to the bowl and freeze.
- Take a food processor and add cantaloupe cubes.
- Add sugar syrup and lemon juice to it.
- Blend it for a few minutes.
- Pour the blended mixture into an ice cream container.
- Transfer the container into the freezer for 5-6 hours.
When is cantaloupe in season?
Cantaloupes are an incredibly luscious summer treat. You can find this incredibly versatile fruit in grocery markets throughout the year, however, the peak growth months are between June and August.
Due to its high nutritional value and unique taste, you can store this fruit in bulk for making some yummy recipes in winter.
Warp up
Cantaloupe is a tropical fruit that has a sweet musky orange flash and yellowish netted hard skin. The peak season of this summer treat is between June and August.
You can use this versatile fruit in different delicious recipes after freezing. Cantaloupes are easy and quick to freeze because of their high water content.
Freezing enhances the original flavor and texture of cantaloupes and preserves their nutrients.
Freshly sliced cantaloupes can last for approximately 10 days in the freezer while the uncut cantaloupes can last for 10-12 months if stored properly.
Besides that, cantaloupes are a great addition to your diet because they keep your bones stronger, hydrate the skin, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risks of serious health problems like cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.