Description
The sweet succulence of summer-ripe melons is irresistibly tempting, but the health benefits of these luscious fruits shouldn’t be overlooked. Look to red-fleshed melons to fortify the heart and urinary tract. Yellow and orange flesh types provide support to the immune system, heart and vision. Green-fleshed varieties promote strong bones and teeth as well as vision health. Sangria is thought of as the “gold standard” when it comes to watermelon, the best of those big ones that command the produce section in late summer. The elongated fruit run 20 to 25 pounds and the rind is mostly green with lighter green stripes. Flesh is a lovely red and flavor is terrific. So sweet, so juicy.
Harvest & Storage
• Cantaloupe will easily slip from vine when ripe
• With other melons, check the leaf where fruit is attached to the vine — fruit is mature when this leaf begins to yellow
• Watermelons are ready for harvest when the tendril closest to the fruit is dry and brown or when the bottom side of the fruit is butter yellow color.
Give the melon a knock with your hand, it should sound hollow
The skin is dull
Slipping of the stem for from the melon with slight finger pressure
• Melons and watermelons will not ripen off vine
• Pick in the cool of the day and chill quickl
