1. Turning it into a soup -- with mangos, or a white gazpacho with grapes and almonds.
2. Making a melon jam or chutney.
3. Using it as a thick base for a smoothie, or blending it with lime juice and honey for cantaloupe agua fresca.

How do you sweeten an unripe cantaloupe?

Sometimes the cantaloupe is not as sweet as you may want it, but this can be fixed. Put the cantaloupe pieces into a airtight container. Sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe. Toss the cantaloupe gently with the sugar until it has been evenly distributed.

Will cantaloupe ripen after being cut open?

However, cantaloupes -- unlike most melons -- can be ripened by exposure to the ethylene gas that bananas, apples and some other fruits emit. This creates the perception of greater sweetness because it softens their flesh and makes them more aromatic and flavorful. Unfortunately, that process stops once they're cut.

Will melon ripen after picking?

However, the melons will continue to ripen after being picked. Their sugar does not change after harvest, so they don't get sweeter with age. However, they do become more desirable to eat because the flesh continues to soften and the melon becomes juicier, the University of California-Davis reports.

Can fruit still ripen after cut?

A Cutting fruit damages cells and removes the protective peel, exposing the flesh to the environment and altering its chemistry. Some fruit does actually continue ripening. ... Fruits that can ripen after picking — including melons, peaches, apples, avocados, mangoes, pears and tomatoes — are called climacteric fruits.

How do you soften a hard cantaloupe?

Place the fruit in a brown paper bag rolled closed at the top to help the melon to ripen faster for eating. Once you've already cut the cantaloupe it needs to be refrigerated, which slows any further softening.

Should uncut cantaloupe be refrigerated?

Whole, uncut cantaloupes, honeydews, or watermelons are all best when stored at room temperature. They're best enjoyed within a few days and up to two weeks after harvesting.

Can you ripen cantaloupe in the microwave?

Place the piece of unripe fruit in the microwave. Heat it on medium power for 15 seconds.

How do you ripen honeydew and cantaloupe?

Set the honeydew melon in a large, brown paper grocery sack. Place two to four ripening apples or tomatoes in the bag with the honeydew. Fold the top of the bag over two times, sealing it closed. Leave the bag sitting on the corner, out of direct light, for two to three days.

Are honeydew and cantaloupe the same?

Honeydew melon and cantaloupe are two members of the same species, Cucumis melo (1). Yet, though they're closely related, they're two distinctive fruits. They're similarly sweet, but honeydew melon has a smooth, light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker, netted rind and orange flesh (1, 2 ).

How do you ripen fruit after cutting?

Just add your fruit into a paper bag, seal it, and wait a few days! The key here is ethylene. Ethylene is a natural gas given off by fruit that helps in ripening. To speed things up even faster, we recommend adding in an apple or banana!

Does salt Make cantaloupe sweeter?

By sprinkling a little salt on your melon you are creating a high-salt concentration area next to those cells. Their water is drawn up to the surface where you bite, bringing flavor with it. The melon has become miraculously sweeter thanks to salt!

Why are my cantaloupe not sweet?

Excess water can cause flavor to be bland. The two key times when too much water makes the most difference is when the fruits just start forming and about 1 week before ripening. Like most crops, cantaloupes grow and taste best when they get a consistent supply of dampness -- not too much, not too little.

Which is the healthiest fruit in the world?

Does cantaloupe help poop?

Cantaloupe has a high water content and provides fiber. Fiber and water can help prevent constipation, promoting regularity and a healthy digestive tract.

When should you not eat cantaloupe?

Spoiled cantaloupe appears sickly inside and out. If it's still whole, it develops soft spots and bruises that become increasingly prominent. The entire melon gets soft and eventually becomes unable to hold its shape. You might notice liquid seeping out through the rind, and the cantaloupe gives off an unpleasant odor.

How long does it take for a green cantaloupe to ripen?

The process is usually going to take around two days, but it primarily depends on how quickly you picked up the cantaloupe off the vine. After every couple of days, you should open the bag and check the ripeness of the cantaloupe.

Can you freeze cut up cantaloupe?

-Cut a cantaloupe or watermelon into 1 inch chunks. -Place the cantaloupe pieces on a lined baking tray (use parchment, plastic wrap, or wax paper). -Place the tray into the freezer to quick freeze the cantaloupe. ... -For best quality, eat frozen cantaloupe and watermelon within 9 to 12 months.

Where do you store uncut cantaloupe?

Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.