Cantaloupe, also known as 'muskmelon', is a deliciously sweet orange-fleshed melon with a beige netted rind. Like most melons it is quite juicy, and has a medium sized seed cavity. Cantaloupe is usually ready for harvest in Ontario in July and August, depending on how hot and dry the summer growing conditions are. Cantaloupes found in Canada tend to be the North American variety, differing from the European variety that has a smoother, ridged rind.
Cantaloupe is a delicious treat to be eaten fresh on its own or in a salad. It can be eaten with ice cream or custard for a healthier dessert, or can be wrapped with prosciutto ham for a classic antipasto dish. Cantaloupe can also be frozen and added to smoothies, however it tends to go quite mushy when thawed. The seeds are edible and can be dried for a nutrient-packed snack! Once the melon has been cut it is best to enjoy it right away as it does not last very long.
Cantaloupe is believed to originate from the South Asian and African part of the world. It later was brought into Europe and became a commercial crop in the United States in the 1890s. Cantaloupe likes long, hot summers to ripen in. The yellow patch found on most Cantaloupes is a sign that it has been ripened on the vine, with the yellow patch being where the melon was contacting the ground.
