I have always loved water melon and cantaloupe melons, they are delicious, naturally sweet, loaded with vitamins and best of all low in calories. I decided to broden my harizon and look into the different varieties of melon that I'm not acquainted with and give them a try and in doing so I wanted to let you in on what I found out. In addition I have included some fantastic melon recipies, smoothies etc.. I hope you will find them as yummy as I have.
My absolute favorite melon is the watermelon so I have them planted in my yard this year and fingers crossed hopefully they will grow. Watermelons are available all year round, peaking in Summer, from December to May. Obviously they make a delicious fruit salads and mouth watering smoothies. They are naturally rich in lycopene an antioxidant and carotenoids which is metabolised into Vitamin A by your body and may even have more Vitamin c than oranges. They take up to 4 months after planting before they are ready for harvest. Watermelons do not ripen after harvest, Which means they are as ripe as they're going to get once they reach your local supermarket or fruit stand.
Melons are rich in nutrition, high in potassium One 1/4 cantaloupe contains approximately 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium, that's about 20 percent of the recommended daily value, and research has shown them to also help lower blood pressure. When dieting it''s always so to not deprive yourself of nutrients and equally as important to enjoy what you are eating. That way once the weight comes off you stand less of a chance of regaining it when you have been eating the same delicious and naturally sweet treats like melons. There are other fruits which are loaded in Potassium and other electrolytes that our bodies need to keep going and look good while doing it, such as: Dried apricots, avocados, figs, kiwi, oranges, raisins, dates, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapefruit are other good sources of potassium.
WATERMELONS-Latin name-Citrullus vulgaris
Most watermelons are cylindrical or round, with mottled or striped green skin, and a pink to red centre. Other varieties such as Champagne watermelons (with golden flesh) are sometimes available. Watermelons are about 90% water, and 8 to 12% sugar. Many watermelons have dark brown seeds, but in recent years seedless watermelons have become extremely common in Australia. These may have some small white residual seeds.
Watermelons are available all year round, peaking in Summer, from December to May.
Watermelons can be eaten alone or in salads.
Watermelons contain lycopene (which has been shown have antioxidant qualities) and carotenoids (which convert to Vitamin A in the body), and are a good source of Vitamin C. Look for watermelons with a dark pinkish-red for more concentrated nutrients.
In Australia watermelons can be grown anywhere but need a long warm to hot growing season. Winter crops are grown in the north, and summer crops are grown in Southern States. They take up to 4 months after planting before they are ready to be picked. Watermelons do not ripen after harvest, so they are ripe when you buy them.
ROCKMELONS-Latin name-Cucumis melo
Rockmelons are usually round or slightly elongated with firm, netted or scaly, cream or buff rind. Some rockmelon varieties have grooves or sutures running from end to end, and all have moist, sweet, orange to peach-coloured flesh, and a distinct tropical fragrance. The seeds are in the centre of the fruit. In Australia most rockmelons are fully netted melon with no sutures and orange flesh.
HONEYDEW MELONS-Latin Name: Cucumis melo
Honeydews are usually round to slightly oval (about 15-20cm diameter) with a smooth, white or gold skin. The flesh colour ranges from pale green to green, and is moist and sweet, with seeds in the centre
Honeydew melons are available all year round peaking in summer (January and February.)
The flesh of white skinned honeydews is sweeter, and has a higher level of natural sugars.
Honeydew melons are high in Vitamin C, B6, Folate (essential for maintaining metabolic rate, forming DNA and RNA, and is important during pregnancy) and Potassium, which has been linked to healthy blood pressure and kidney function, as well as muscle tone.
MELON RECIPES
This is a wonderful and delightful melon recipie that I thought you might enjoy. This refreshing melon minted salad produces a light and different summer treat, cool dessert and even makes a savvy low calorie side dish. Just when and how you eat it is your affair just as long as you indulge yourself and enjoy! Before getting started preparing any of these tasty low calorie smoothies wash your hands and your melons thoroughly (That's just the nurse in me talking-and hygienic good sense).
Ingredients:
Half a medium honeydew melon, scooped with a melon baller
Half a medium cantaloupe melon, scooped with a melon baller
Juice and zest of one large lime
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
Preparation:
Place scooped melon balls into a medium or large bowl. Combine lime juice and zest with honey. Drizzle over melon. Toss. Sprinkle chopped fresh mint. Chill for 2 hours.
Serves 6
Per Serving: Calories 55, Calories from Fat 1, Total Fat 0.2g (sat 0g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 10mg, Carbohydrate 12.8g, Fiber 0.9g, Protein 0.8g
Thirst quenching melon smoothie recipes
Ingredients
1/4 cantaloupe - peeled, seeded and cubed
1/4 honeydew melon - peeled, seeded and cubed
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons sugar
Preparation:
In a blender, combine cantaloupe, honeydew, lime juice and sugar. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Nutritional Data:
Amount Per Serving Calories: 70 | Total Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg
Shopping for fruit
Cantaloupe Melon Smoothie Recipes and Nutrition
Shopping for fruit
Cantaloupe are perfect for making smoothies, naturally filled with water, nutricious enjoyable source of vitamin A, C, B, K and iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and. They are also a natural antioxidant ( Antioxidants are substances such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism). Cantaloupes are also rich in flavor and can even boost your bodies immune system.
Cantaloupe Strawberry Smoothie
– 1/2 medium/large cantaloupe, rind removed
– 1 cup organic strawberries
– 2 cups fresh organic baby spinach (or other leafy green)
– 1/4 cup filtered water if needed
Calories: 198 | Fat: 1g (grams) | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 46g | Calcium: 12% | Vitamin A: 832% | Vitamin C: 335%
Cantaloupe Mixed Berry
– 1/2 medium/large cantaloupe, rind removed
– 1/2 – 1 cup organic raspberries, blueberries or blackberries.*
– 2 cups fresh organic baby spinach (or other leafy green)
– 1/4 cup filtered water if needed
* You can use frozen berries too. Nutrition info is for 1 cup raspberries.
Calories: 216 | Fat: 1g (grams) | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 50g | Calcium: 13% | Vitamin A: 833% | Vitamin C: 265%
Your cantaloupes should have a amber tint and aromatic(It should smell like a cantaloupe). Cantaloupes can be ripened at home just like green tomatoes by just placing them on your window pane and leaving it on a counter at room temperature for two to four days.
T. D. Deutsch copyright 7/20/2011
My absolute favorite melon is the watermelon so I have them planted in my yard this year and fingers crossed hopefully they will grow. Watermelons are available all year round, peaking in Summer, from December to May. Obviously they make a delicious fruit salads and mouth watering smoothies. They are naturally rich in lycopene an antioxidant and carotenoids which is metabolised into Vitamin A by your body and may even have more Vitamin c than oranges. They take up to 4 months after planting before they are ready for harvest. Watermelons do not ripen after harvest, Which means they are as ripe as they're going to get once they reach your local supermarket or fruit stand.Melons are rich in nutrition, high in potassium One 1/4 cantaloupe contains approximately 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium, that's about 20 percent of the recommended daily value, and research has shown them to also help lower blood pressure. When dieting it''s always so to not deprive yourself of nutrients and equally as important to enjoy what you are eating. That way once the weight comes off you stand less of a chance of regaining it when you have been eating the same delicious and naturally sweet treats like melons. There are other fruits which are loaded in Potassium and other electrolytes that our bodies need to keep going and look good while doing it, such as: Dried apricots, avocados, figs, kiwi, oranges, raisins, dates, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapefruit are other good sources of potassium.WATERMELONS-Latin name-Citrullus vulgaris
Most watermelons are cylindrical or round, with mottled or striped green skin, and a pink to red centre. Other varieties such as Champagne watermelons (with golden flesh) are sometimes available. Watermelons are about 90% water, and 8 to 12% sugar. Many watermelons have dark brown seeds, but in recent years seedless watermelons have become extremely common in Australia. These may have some small white residual seeds.Watermelons are available all year round, peaking in Summer, from December to May.
Watermelons can be eaten alone or in salads.
Watermelons contain lycopene (which has been shown have antioxidant qualities) and carotenoids (which convert to Vitamin A in the body), and are a good source of Vitamin C. Look for watermelons with a dark pinkish-red for more concentrated nutrients.
In Australia watermelons can be grown anywhere but need a long warm to hot growing season. Winter crops are grown in the north, and summer crops are grown in Southern States. They take up to 4 months after planting before they are ready to be picked. Watermelons do not ripen after harvest, so they are ripe when you buy them.ROCKMELONS-Latin name-Cucumis melo
Rockmelons are usually round or slightly elongated with firm, netted or scaly, cream or buff rind. Some rockmelon varieties have grooves or sutures running from end to end, and all have moist, sweet, orange to peach-coloured flesh, and a distinct tropical fragrance. The seeds are in the centre of the fruit. In Australia most rockmelons are fully netted melon with no sutures and orange flesh.
HONEYDEW MELONS-Latin Name: Cucumis melo
Honeydews are usually round to slightly oval (about 15-20cm diameter) with a smooth, white or gold skin. The flesh colour ranges from pale green to green, and is moist and sweet, with seeds in the centre
Honeydew melons are available all year round peaking in summer (January and February.)
The flesh of white skinned honeydews is sweeter, and has a higher level of natural sugars.
Honeydew melons are high in Vitamin C, B6, Folate (essential for maintaining metabolic rate, forming DNA and RNA, and is important during pregnancy) and Potassium, which has been linked to healthy blood pressure and kidney function, as well as muscle tone.
Party Melon dish
MELON RECIPES
This is a wonderful and delightful melon recipie that I thought you might enjoy. This refreshing melon minted salad produces a light and different summer treat, cool dessert and even makes a savvy low calorie side dish. Just when and how you eat it is your affair just as long as you indulge yourself and enjoy! Before getting started preparing any of these tasty low calorie smoothies wash your hands and your melons thoroughly (That's just the nurse in me talking-and hygienic good sense).
Ingredients:
Half a medium honeydew melon, scooped with a melon baller
Half a medium cantaloupe melon, scooped with a melon baller
Juice and zest of one large lime
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
Preparation:
Place scooped melon balls into a medium or large bowl. Combine lime juice and zest with honey. Drizzle over melon. Toss. Sprinkle chopped fresh mint. Chill for 2 hours.
Serves 6
Per Serving: Calories 55, Calories from Fat 1, Total Fat 0.2g (sat 0g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 10mg, Carbohydrate 12.8g, Fiber 0.9g, Protein 0.8g
Thirst quenching melon smoothie recipes
Ingredients
1/4 cantaloupe - peeled, seeded and cubed
1/4 honeydew melon - peeled, seeded and cubed
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons sugar
Preparation:
In a blender, combine cantaloupe, honeydew, lime juice and sugar. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Nutritional Data:
Amount Per Serving Calories: 70 | Total Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg
Shopping for fruit
Cantaloupe Melon Smoothie Recipes and Nutrition
Shopping for fruit
Cantaloupe are perfect for making smoothies, naturally filled with water, nutricious enjoyable source of vitamin A, C, B, K and iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and. They are also a natural antioxidant ( Antioxidants are substances such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism). Cantaloupes are also rich in flavor and can even boost your bodies immune system.
– 1/2 medium/large cantaloupe, rind removed
– 1 cup organic strawberries
– 2 cups fresh organic baby spinach (or other leafy green)
– 1/4 cup filtered water if needed
Calories: 198 | Fat: 1g (grams) | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 46g | Calcium: 12% | Vitamin A: 832% | Vitamin C: 335%
Cantaloupe Mixed Berry
– 1/2 medium/large cantaloupe, rind removed
– 1/2 – 1 cup organic raspberries, blueberries or blackberries.*
– 2 cups fresh organic baby spinach (or other leafy green)
– 1/4 cup filtered water if needed
* You can use frozen berries too. Nutrition info is for 1 cup raspberries.
Calories: 216 | Fat: 1g (grams) | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 50g | Calcium: 13% | Vitamin A: 833% | Vitamin C: 265%
Your cantaloupes should have a amber tint and aromatic(It should smell like a cantaloupe). Cantaloupes can be ripened at home just like green tomatoes by just placing them on your window pane and leaving it on a counter at room temperature for two to four days.
T. D. Deutsch copyright 7/20/2011
useful article! thx! :)
ReplyDeleteCheck my blog: http://thechicshoe.blogspot.com/
XOXO