hmm--didn't think to smell, i was wondering if there was a way to feel or whatever. thanks a ton.
guess i'll have the one i cut up with my sour cream fruit dip recipe (i have just about any kind of fruit with it, its sure great w/ watermelon too).
thanks for the help. i'll keep that in mind.
PEACHYCHEEKS 10/22/07 2:39 P
I also smell melons to see if they're ripe. If they don't give off a sweet scent, they're not ripe. Also, a cantaloupe has a greenish shade under the bumpy tan skin when it's not ripe. When it's ripe it will have a more golden color. This is also not the time of year for melons - they are best in summer time, same with berries (strawberries still seem to be ok now but not nearly as good as they were a month ago). And melons are one of the fruits most influenced by season - they really aren't good when they're not in season (mushy or bitter or just no real flavor). apples and pears are good right now. In the winter, oranges and grapefruits. Although I did get some really good grapes the other day. I think there was a list or article here on SP about eating seasonally. here is a link to an article you might find interesting... http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=28 and here is an article with links to what is in season in each state in the US (assuming you live in the US... http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/
Best wishes and congratulations on your willingness to try new things!!
ISUARCHITECT 10/20/07 11:25 P
When the cantaloupe is ripe it will give off a scent - almost like a rose (odd, I know...) honeydew will give off a similar scent, only sweeter...thats the only way that i know of to tell if they are ripe, just stick ur nose on them and sniff!! haha
I dont know how to pick a good/sweet one from a crappy/bitter one. I have tried everything I can think of...so for me, that is just trial and error unfortunately....
but once you cut it up, i dont think there is much to do...I like to put cinnamon and a little ginger on my cantaloupe, especially if they are under ripe or not very sweet...it helps add a little flavor and sweetness!
PSYCHOGREENGIRL 10/20/07 8:58 P
i've got a huge issue with melons, mostly that i know near nothing about them. i've gotta know, though, how do you know when a melon is ripe?
i mean, i got a cantaloupe about 5 days ago, they all looked the same, and the other day i cut it up. according to dad, it wasn't that ripe yet. so, how do i select a ripe melon, and once cut and i find out its not that ripe, is there a way to ripen a melon after its been cut a bit, or do i just leave the cut up melon in its covered bowl and wait for time to do something about it?
my family's never been into fruit, so i really have nobody to ask this question. any help would be great.
