how to ripen cantaloupe on the vine

If you accidentally purchase a green cantaloupe with hopes of eating it quickly, there is still hope to soften the fruit before cutting, though it does little to change the flavor. Place the fruit in a brown paper bag rolled closed at the top to help the melon to ripen faster for eating.

Can you ripen cantaloupe off the vine?

For the best flavor, make sure that cantaloupes ripen on the vine. You can ripen this melon off the vine for a few extra days to further improve the color, texture, and juiciness of the fruit, though.

How do you tell if a cantaloupe is ripe on the vine?

In fact, most cantaloupes are ready to be picked once they're fully ripened, changing from green to a tan or yellowish-gray color between the netting. A ripe melon will also exhibit a sweet and pleasant aroma. One way to tell if a melon is over ripe is by looking at the rind, which will appear quite yellow and soft.

How do you ripen a cantaloupe quickly?

Set the cantaloupe in a paper bag once you want to speed up the ripening process. Keep it at room temperature during this process. Place ethylene-producing fruits such as an apple or banana in the paper bag with the cantaloupe to further speed up the ripening.

How long does it take for a cantaloupe to ripen on the vine?

Typically a cantaloupe will yield mature fruit 35 to 45 days after blossoming, according to the University of Minnesota, so time your planting to provide those 45 days while the weather is still warm.

How do you sweeten an unripe cantaloupe?

Sprinkle sugar or sugar substitute onto the cantaloupe. Toss the cantaloupe gently with the sugar until it has been evenly distributed. Try a piece of cantaloupe. If it still needs to be sweetened, sprinkle more sugar and toss the cantaloupe again.

What can I do with under ripe cantaloupe?

Uses for an Unripe Cantaloupe

Turning it into a soup -- with mangos, or a white gazpacho with grapes and almonds.
Making a melon jam or chutney.
Using it as a thick base for a smoothie, or blending it with lime juice and honey for cantaloupe agua fresca.

Is cantaloupe in season right now?

From June through August, cantaloupes are at their peak of flavor. Along with tasting great, they're an excellent source of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Whether you enjoy them sliced, cubed or halved, cantaloupes are a refreshing, healthy addition to salads, desserts, beverages and more.

How do you pick out good cantaloupe?

The best way to pick a cantaloupe is by smell. The fruit should have a sweet, slightly musky scent. A good cantaloupe feels heavy for its size, has a rind that resembles raised netting, and has a stem end that yields slightly when pressed with your thumb.

Can you eat unripe cantaloupe?

It is generally safe to eat unripe and even has curative properties. The unripe fruit has been proven to contain higher amounts of the enzyme papain, which alleviates symptoms from various gastric disorders.

How do you prune a cantaloupe plant?

Using pruning shears, cut lateral vines that grow from the primary up to the eighth leaf node. Take care not to damage the main stem when cutting back the cantaloupe plants. Leave 1-2 lateral vines untouched. Once the melons begin to form, remove all but a single fruit per vine.

Will melon ripen in fridge?

Q: Which fruits should I put in the fridge and which can I leave on the counter? A: You can ripen cantaloupe at room temperature, but it will go quickly from ripe to overripe. Melon stored in the fridge can develop a rubbery texture and lose a lot of flavor quickly, so keep them at room temperature.

How do you know when melons are ripe?

When ripe, the color of the rind should be a creamy yellow rather than green, and the rind will become smooth and waxy rather than dusky. If you press on the bottom of a ripe honeydew (the opposite end from where it's attached to the vine), it should feel slightly soft or at least a little springy.

How often do you water a cantaloupe?

Cantaloupes need plenty of water, but not enough to make a soggy garden. Give your crops one to two inches of water per week, watering the soil directly to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting powdery mildew. Once fruit begins to grow, reduce your watering, as dry weather is best for sweeter melons.

How late can you plant cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe does best when direct sown. Sow seeds outside about 2 weeks after the last frost date when soil temperatures are about 65℉. In the low desert of Arizona, the best time to plant cantaloupe is from late February through July.

How do you ripen cantaloupe overnight?

Place the fruit in a brown paper bag rolled closed at the top to help the melon to ripen faster for eating. Once you've already cut the cantaloupe it needs to be refrigerated, which slows any further softening.

How can I make my cantaloupe taste better?

Watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews lean sweet—and that's why they play so well with salt, vinegar, and cheese. Sweet, ripe, summer melons are better with salt. Salt makes their flavor pop. It contrasts their sweetness and accentuates their refreshing qualities.

Does Salt Make cantaloupe sweeter?

As Crosby explains, “I would say that the fruits that tend to contain more of these sugars, either sucrose or glucose or fructose, the greater the enhancement you're going to perceive of the sweetness due to the salt.” Salt will make the sweetest fruits (i.e. cherries and strawberries) even sweeter, but if you're more ...

What month is strawberry season?

Because of that, and the varied locations where they are grown, the national strawberry season is said to run January through November. In the Deep South, when to harvest strawberries will usually be late April and May. In the middle part of the country, at Eckert's, May and June are typically best.

What months are watermelons in season?

Watermelon season runs throughout the summer -- from May to September -- but the exact range depends on where you live, Keep an eye out at your local farmers market. You can't miss these big guys, and there will be plenty at peak season.

Which is better for you honeydew or cantaloupe?

They both share similar nutritional benefits except for vitamin C and beta-carotene. Cantaloupe contains twice the amount of vitamin C as does honeydew, 61% DV versus 30% DV in honeydew. In vitamin A, Cantaloupe wins again with 68% DV compared to 1% DV in honeydew.