The variety of melons known as muskmelons consists of a juicy, edible fruit that is characterized by its round shape and a ribbed exterior. Cantaloupes are a type of muskmelons..

Considerable variation takes place in this fruit. Some cantaloupes are large but others are small; some have pink or yellow flesh and others have white or light-green flesh. The flesh of these fruits contains a large amount of water; therefore, their food value is not high, being just a little over half as much as that of apples.

If melons suitable for the table are required, they ought to be selected with care. To be just at the right stage, the flower end of the melon ought to be a trifle soft while pressed with the fingers. If it is very soft, the melon is maybe too ripe; yet if it does not give with pressure, the melon is too unripe.

Various ways of serving cantaloupes exist. When they are to be served natural as a breakfast food or a lunch dessert, cut them crosswise into halves, or, if they are large, divide them into sections lengthwise.

With the melons cut in the desired fashion, remove all the seeds and keep the melons on ice until they are to be served. The pulp of the melon can also be cut from the rind yet then diced and used in the formation of fruit salads.

Again, the pulp may be partly scraped out of the melon and the rinds then packed with fruit mixtures and served with a salad dressing for a salad or with fruit juices for a cocktail. The pulp that is scraped out may be diced and used in the fruit mixture.

Recipe 1

FRUIT IN CANTALOUPE SHELLS

During cantaloupe season, a wonderful fruit salad can be made by combining a number of different sorts of fruit with the flesh of cantaloupe and serving the mixture in the cantaloupe shells. Such a salad is a fantastic one to serve when light refreshments are desired or when something unusual is required for a light luncheon.

Cut cantaloupes in half crosswise, yet, using the French cutter, cut some of the meat into round balls. Dice the rest and mix with any combination of fruit desired. Position this in the cantaloupe shells after cutting points in the top edge. Garnish with the balls cut from the cantaloupe but serve with any desired dressing. You can also sprinkle nuts on top to add a variation of textures.

Recipe 2

FRESH FRUIT COMPOTE

1 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved 1 cup sliced fresh peaches, peeled 1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries 1 cup watermelon balls 1 cup cantaloupe balls 1 cup seedless grapes 1/2 cup sparkling wine (or sweet) wine, chilled 2 tbs thawed orange juice, frozen, concentrated, undiluted

Mix together all of the fruit in a large glass or ceramic bowl then gently stir to mix. Add the orange juice and wine and lightly stir again. Chill with a wrapping on it for at least 20 minutes. Mix again gently before serving.

Recipe 3

ERDBEER BOWLE (Strawberry Wine Punch)

1/2 pt strawberries, stemless, rinsed, cut in half 1 tbs granulated sugar 1/2 bottle German Riesling, well chilled 1 tbs brandy (preferably Alsbach Uralt) 1/2 bottle German Sekt well chilled

Bowle is a classic German party wine punch. During the month of May, throughout Germany, bowle is served flavoured with fresh woodruff (Waldmeister), a sweet scented herb with white flowers, which grows particularly well in wooded but shady areas away from hot sun. Later, during strawberry season, bowle is made with strawberries which grow abundantly everywhere. As German summer season progresses, bowle is prepared with other fruits like peaches, chunks of juicy watermelon, cubes of bright orange cantaloupe, or plump raspberries.

Place the strawberries in a large covered glass jar (a sun tea jar is fine), sprinkle them with sugar and drizzle them with the brandy. Put them aside to marinate for two hours to allow the sugar to draw out the juice from the berries.

Add white wine, stir, then set aside for two more hours. When ready to serve, pour into a punch bowl. Add Sekt and serve chilled in wide champagne style glasses, making certain to distribute strawberries with the wine.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article writes on several topics, but is at present concerned with vegetarian recipes for kids. If you want to know more or check out some special offers, please go to our site at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.

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