6 Unexpected Ways to Eat Cantaloupe, Beyond Fruit Salad

When it comes to summer fruits, berries, peaches and watermelon tend to steal the show — and, frankly, cantaloupe is tired of playing the supporting role. With tender, pastel-orange flesh, this summer melon is the unsung hero of the produce section, offering the kind of versatility that many fruits lack. It makes a light yet distinctly flavorful base for salsas, soups, salads and cocktails. In the United States, the best cantaloupes can be found from June until August, so take advantage of this fleeting crop while summer’s still in full swing. Here’s a melon-centric menu that gives cantaloupe the limelight it deserves at every course, from the appetizer round to the main event.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Crostini with Melon Salsa Crudo (pictured above)
Prosciutto-wrapped honeydew is a common summer appetizer, and this seasonal crostini recipe offers a fun twist on the usual. The ripe cantaloupe salsa is the ideal sweet balance to salty meat and melted Parmesan cheese.

Cantaloupe Soup
For a fresh alternative to cooked soups, try Alex Guarnaschelli’s summery cantaloupe creation, made with lemon juice and sparkling cider. Before serving, sprinkle each bowl with some diced cucumber for a nice crisp texture.

Spicy Melon Salad
This is far from your typical fruit salad, and most likely one you wouldn’t have for breakfast. Food Network Kitchen puts a savory spin on cantaloupe and honeydew by tossing the sliced melons in a tangy mixture of Sriracha, fish sauce, brown sugar and lime juice. Enjoy it as a light lunch, or serve it as you would a slaw, alongside juicy grilled meats at your next cookout.

Old-School Melon Cocktails
If there’s ever a time for cantaloupe, it’s at a cocktail party — and I’m not talking about the hors d’oeuvre tray. To prepare these sophisticated summer drinks, Alex purees cantaloupe with apple cider and fresh lemon juice before shaking it up with some chilled gin.

Glazed Hens with Cucumber-Cantaloupe Salad
Fruit rarely fits in on your dinner plate, but here it’s a welcome addition. The light, fresh tastes of cantaloupe and cucumber balance the bold flavor of these chili-glazed hens in Food Network Magazine’s 40-minute entree, making it great for a casual summer gathering with family and friends.

Cantaloupe-Infused Water
This sweet sip doesn’t need much doctoring up. Simply add thin slices of ripe melon to a frosty glass of ice water for one of summer’s most-refreshing treats.

from FN Dish – Food Network Blog http://ift.tt/1Itu67Z

Posted in FN Dish – Food Network Blog