People have their favorites when it comes to melon, and each assortment of melon contains some big nutritional properties. Let ’ s focus on melons people are most familiar with : cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon .
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NUTRITIONAL VALUE
A one-cup service of cantaloupe has only 53 calories, but it contains 106 percentage of the vitamin A day by day rate and 95 percentage of vitamin C. It ’ s besides a good reference of potassium and vitamin bc. A cup of honeydew has 60 calories, 51 percentage vitamin C daily value and 11 percentage of potassium. Honeydew besides contains some character, vitamin bc and vitamin B6. Watermelon contains the least sum of calories, coming in at 46 calories per one-cup serve. however, it ’ s loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, which is linked to decreased risk of cancer, center disease and age-related eye disorders, and contains a good sum of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium .
Because melons have such a gamey water content and besides contain potassium, they ’ rhenium fantastic choices for helping keep goodly lineage press levels .
MELON FACTS
Cantaloupe and honeydew melons belong to the muskmelon class. These melons first grew in the Middle East., and there are many different varieties. Watermelon originated in Africa and has over 1,200 different varieties. You may have seen the yellow and seedless watermelons in stores recently.
Reading: Melons pack a nutritional punch
PICKING MELON
There are some significant things you should know when it comes to selecting the perfect melon. First, choose a firm melon with no obvious bruising. All melons should be heavy for their size, signifying a decent blue melon. Watermelons are best when they have a chicken belly, which means it has been allowed to ripen in the sphere alternatively of the storehouse or market. One variety of the honeydew melon — the Santa Claus — turns yellow as it ripens. The more scandalmongering it is, the fresh the relish .
PREPARING MELON
You can store full-length melons at room temperature, but once you cut them, you should store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. anterior to cutting any melons, wash them under body of water, and gently scrub the outside with a brush to remove territory or any contaminant.
If you ’ re wondering about different uses for melons besides eating them raw, here are some suggestions :
- Make frozen pops out of melon by pureeing with a little sugar and a splash of lime juice. Pour into molds and freeze.
- Use melons to infuse water. Infused water serves as a delicious summertime beverage that contains no added sugar.
- Make kabobs using grapes, melon and cheese cubes for a great summer snack. Keep them cool until they’re ready for eating.
- Take firmer melons (cantaloupe and honeydew slices) and put on a hot grill for one to two minutes on each side, which brings out their sweet flavor.
- Create a melon smoothie. Since their flavor is mild, they make a great smoothie and pair nicely with other fruits.
Melon Challenge: Look for some of the different varieties of melons that you haven ’ thyroxine tried before. Introduce yourself and your family to something newly.
FRESH FRUIT SMOOTHIE RECIPE
Servings : 4
- 1 cup fresh pineapple
- 1/2 cup cantaloupe or other melon
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- Juice of 2 oranges
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey
Remove rind from pineapple and melon. Cut into chunks. Remove stems from strawberries. You may want to refrigerate ingredients now to save until later. When you ’ re ready to serve, place all ingredients in blender and puree until placid. Serve coldness .
nutritional information per 1-cup ( 8-ounce ) serve : 72 calories ; 17 g entire carbohydrates ; 1 g dietary fiber ; 8 milligram sodium ; entire fat 0 g ( 0 deoxyguanosine monophosphate saturated fat, trans fat 0 guanine ) ; monounsaturated fat 0 gravitational constant ; 0 gigabyte cholesterol ; 1 guanine protein ; 4 thousand added sugars .