Cantaloupes are part of the cucurbit family of plants (Cucurbitaceae). Also included in this family are cucumbers, squash, pumpkin, and many other types of melon.
Melons in the same plant family as cantaloupe include watermelon, honeydew, Crenshaw, casaba, Persian, and canary melon. Since many members of the cucurbit plant family can easily cross-pollinate, there are many different hybrid melons that combine features of true cantaloupe with features of these other melons.
True cantaloupes typically lack an extensive, orderly netting and they have ribs called "sutures" that are heavier and deeply grooved. True cantaloupes are grown almost exclusively in other parts of the world (especially in the Mediterranean). The name cantaloupe comes from the name of a town near Rome called Cantalupo in Sabina.
The fruit widely known as cantaloupe throughout the U.S. is actually a muskmelon. The outer surface looks like a "netting" that sits atop and covers the outermost rind. Melons with a very developed and orderly netting and only mild-to-moderate ribbing are not true cantaloupes but rather muskmelons.
Directions
- Place the melon balls in a serving dish.
- Watermelon-Cantaloupe Juice: Blend the chopped watermelon and cantaloupe well into a juice.
- Pour the juice over the melon balls.
- Garnish with mint leaves and serve.
℞ M.D. Notes
- Cantaloupe contains the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and the flavonoid luteolin.
- Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C. It is a very good source of potassium. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, folate, magnesium and vitamin K.
- Watermelon is a rich source of vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant. The phytonutrients lycopene and carotenoids present in watermelon are thought to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen free radicals.
