9 things to do with melons

An easy low-cal snack

Due to melon‘s water content (as much as 90 percent-compare that to, say, a banana, which has 75 percent), they are especially low in calories. One cup (250 mL) of cubes has:

• Watermelon: 48 calories
• Cantaloupe: 57 calories
• Casaba: 50 calories
• Honeydew: 65 calories

Tip: Before cutting into a melon, wash and scrub it with warm water and a clean produce brush.

1. Melon Soup

Crave a cool soup? Blend cantaloupe with orange juice, a little lime juice, a small knob of ginger (minced) and a pinch of cinnamon. Chill and serve with a dollop of low-fat sour cream or yogurt.

2. Watermelon Salsa

In a food processor, pulse a can of black beans, a jalapeño pepper, a small sweet onion, a handful of cilantro and a clove of garlic until chopped. Add watermelon cubes and pulse briefly. Serve with grilled chicken, pork or fish.

3. Melon Kebabs

For a colourful picnic treat, alternate chunks of red and yellow watermelon, orange cantaloupe and green honeydew on bamboo skewers. Keep cool.

4. Melon Salad

An easy potluck salad: Toss watermelon chunks with cherry tomato halves, crumbled feta and lots of chopped fresh basil. Sprinkle with pine nuts, if desired. Drizzle olive oil and lime juice overtop.

5. Edible Fruit Bowls

Cut a Persian melon or small cantaloupe in half, remove the seeds and use as an individual serving dish for sorbets, frozen yogurt, fresh berries or even a salad.

6. Starter Salad

Arrange slices of honeydew and avocado on top of mixed lettuce leaves. Drizzle with an olive oil and vinegar dressing.

7. Melon Smoothie

Purée chunks of honeydew or cantaloupe with a banana, fresh berries and low-fat yogurt.

8. Sparkling Watermelon Punch

For a quick summertime refresher, purée watermelon cubes until liquid. Pour in an equal amount of still or sparkling rosé wine. Serve over ice with lime slices.

9. Easy Melon Appetizer

To make an Italian-style appetizer, cut a honeydew or cantaloupe into thin slices and remove skin. Wrap each piece with a slice of prosciutto (or cooked ham) and skewer with a toothpick.

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Related:
• The health benefits of melons
• 5 healthy reasons to eat stone fruit
• 10 weird fruits and vegetables from around the world