Thursday, April 3, 2014

C is for Cantaloupe: Yummy Fruits A-Z


The cantaloupe commonly purchased in the U.S. should really be called muskmelon, which is also true for Canada and Mexico. 

True cantaloupes originated in Armenia. The seeds were then planted in Italy and the resulting fruit was named after the Italian town, Cantaloupe. Despite the misnaming of muskmelon, the fruit is still called cantaloupe. Both, however, are in the same plant family. 

The major growers of cantaloupe in order of production are: China, Turkey, Iran, and the U.S. In the U.S., California is the top producer, but it also imports this melon from Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico. 

Cantaloupe scores high in a number of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, which researchers have studied and found (in animals) can improve insulin and blood sugar metabolism, and more. 

Cantaloupe is high in vitamin A and vitamin C, a good source of potassium, and also contains healthy amounts of dietary fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B3 (niacin), folate, magnesium, copper and vitamin K. Even the edible seeds are healthy!

Eat it fresh, eat it often, and try in a recipe like the one below....


Cantaloupe Recipe

"Cantaloupe-Pineapple Shrimp Salad"


1-1/2 cups diced cantaloupe
1 cup diced pineapple 
1/2 diced red bell pepper (seeded)
1/4 red onion, diced
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup chopped mint leaves (fresh)
1/2 small jalapeno (seeded and minced)
1 tablespoon lime juice
(Add last)
1/2 cup black beans, rinsed
1 pound cooked, peeled shrimp (deveined)

Mix first 8 ingredients in large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Just before serving add black beans and shrimp. Salt and pepper to taste and serve on lettuce leaves.  (4 servings) 

Cantaloupe Joke

"Let's run away and get married!"

Said the Watermelon to the Cantaloupe:


"I'm sorry, but I cantaloupe...."


 





Cantaloupe Movie



Sister Cantaloupe: Unbe-Weave-Able (2001) staring Trina Jeffrie (A musical comedy)



 Cantaloupe Books

--The Cantaloupe Cat (1998) 
by Jan Yager and Mitzi Lyman (ages 4 up)

--The Tale of the Pronghorned Cantaloupe (2009)  (ages 4 up)
by Sabra Steinsiek and Noel Chilton


Cantaloupe Song

--"Cantaloupe Island" (1964) by Herbie Hancock
(video link)









Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=17

35 comments:

  1. I've never heard the term muskmelon before, but I kind of like it!

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    Replies
    1. I thought about changing what I call them, but then realized no one would know what I'm talking about!

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  2. I had no idea they were so good for you, and never thought to eat the seeds!

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    Replies
    1. Same here. I'm going to grind them in my smoothies now.

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  3. We call it something else here in my country but I absolutely love this fruit. It screams summer to me!
    sania @ Fragile Words

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    Replies
    1. They are available most of the year here. Love that!

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  4. Ooh I love cantaloupe so this post made me hungry. I didn't realize they were so good for you, glad I already like them!
    I'm so glad to meet you through the A-Z, thanks for visiting my site. I see you did the A-Z last year as well and I loved looking at your stereoviews now - sorry I missed it last year! Looking forward to following your blog now. :)

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    1. Hi Julie. Thank you, and for the follow, too! One of the great thing about the A-Z is meeting new bloggers.

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  5. In your research did you find out how to tell if it is ripe? I keep buying them and they aren't the sweet juicy ones I want.

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    Replies
    1. Actually, I already knew. Leave on your counter for a few days. When it smells sweet at the end (where the stem was) it's ready. I do this in the store too when I need one ripe right away. It works every time!!

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  6. I like you idea of fruits for the A-Z. Its so amazing that you not only give information regarding the fruit but also every possible detail related to the fruit like joke, song and recipe.I really liked the joke. ( was smiling after reading it ) :)

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  7. I love cantaloupe, so I'm definitely going to have to try that yummy salad.
    Best,
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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  8. That's sure an interesting salad recipe. You'll have to make it for me sometime. (Ha.Ha.) I've been visiting blogs all morning and commenting. That's the really slow part. Choosing which blogs to comment on is so easy. But commenting and trying to make a meaningful connection ... whole different ball game.

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  9. Yumm, that salad sounds lovely. Must try!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shyam, Debi, Cathy and Kim for your comments! Let me know if you like the recipe.

      Kim - Thank you for the follow :)

      (Cathy - I promise to make it sometime soon!)

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  10. Cantaloupe (oops, sorry, muskmelon) is probably my favorite fruit. I had heard the muskmelon thing on Good Eats a few years ago. But it doesn't matter what it's called--it still tastes good.

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  11. Great fruit, just love it, whatever its name.

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  12. Have you ever just used half a cantaloupe as a bowl for vanilla ice cream? It's pretty delicious :)

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, With Joy)

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  13. Great subject for the A-to-Z challenge, Sharon :-) We can learn some really good nutrition tidbits here!

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    Replies
    1. I enjoyed your comments, Liz, Inger, Sarah and Kenda.....thank you all! Sarah, I really need to try your suggestion with the cantaloupe bowl and ice cream. Now I should have thought of that. Yum!

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  14. Hi human, Sharon,

    My human, Gary, used to eat loads of cantaloupe when he lived in Canada. It's difficult to purchase in England. I like your fruit-filled theme, my human friend.

    Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!

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    Replies
    1. Ha-ha. Glad Gary let you out to have some fun in the A-Z!

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  15. Another great post! I am really liking what you are have been sharing so far. :) I saw your recipe today and thought of my husband. His two favorite fruits are cantaloupe and pineapple and his favorite salad is a shrimp salad. I think I will have to make him your salad this weekend to see what he thinks.
    Amanda at His and Her Hobbies

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    Replies
    1. It is an unusual combination. Let me know what he thinks. I don't think you can go wrong with this one!

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  16. I never saw a recipe with cantelope in it, sounds delicious though. I love cantelopes (I know I spelled that wrong, LOL). I especially like it when it is on sale at the store :)

    betty

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  17. Great post about a fruit I take for granted..enjoying your A-Z posts.

    D.B. McNicol
    A to Z: Romance & Mystery...writing my life

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  18. Love them. Back when I worked as a journo, they were a perfect breakfast or snack or just as a temporary meal while on the run. They were also easy to eat at functions - especially if you are interviewing someone at the same time and you're not going to have a chance for a real meal:-).

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    Replies
    1. They don't last long in my home! Thanks for visiting, Damaria.

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  19. We call them rockmelons in Australia and I like them cut into squares, chilled and served with ice cream.

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  20. Hmm...definitely need to try this with ice cream. Thanks, DA!

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  21. Love the jokes! I can use them with my grand kids.

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You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.