Okay, so I’m behind on the very challenge I posed to all of you. But I have a good excuse. I’m just too darn busy. I’m living in the now, which was a big goal of mine for this summer along with losing weight.
I only completed half of the challenge: the fruit part. And it was delicious.
Monday evening, T Junior and I went to the grocery store. We perused the produce. I really hoped there was something I hadn’t tried, and much to my surprise, there was!
When I saw them, I got excited: circular melons with ridged, yellow skin about the size of a cantaloupe. I’d never seen them before (or never noticed them, anyway). They are Casaba melons. I didn’t know how to pick one, so I just sorta winged it.
Now, I know: round, bright yellow (no green) and heavy for its size. You can also push on the blossom end, like you would with a cantaloupe, to see if it is soft (ripe). (I found a veggie, too, but I have not had a chance to prepare it, so I will do that in a different post.)
At home, I sliced into the melon, and it was much softer than I thought it would be. I anticipated the yellow tough-feeling skin would be difficult to cut through, like a cantaloupe’s is or a watermelon’s, but it wasn’t. To cut a Casaba, slice it in half, then scoop out the seeds with a spoon, just like you would with a cantaloupe or honeydew melon. Then slice off the skin and, voila! I diced the fruit like I would any other melon.
The Casaba flesh is softer than a cantaloupe or honeydew, and the flavor is lighter, subtly sweet, with a fresh cucumber aftertaste. I actually like it better than cantaloupe or honeydew. T Junior likes it, too.
According to what I found online, Casaba melons have a longer shelf life because of their skin and they are a great source of vitamin C. One cup of diced Casaba equals about 50 calories, 1.5 grams of fiber, less than a gram of fat, and about 11 grams of carbohydrate. So, it’s not the most filling fruit, but it certainly is a refreshing low-calorie snack if you are just looking for something sweet to eat. And this recipe, here, for Casaba Melon with Creamy Sweet Curry looks yuuuummmmm-eeeee.
Did you find a new favorite fruit or veggie?
9 comments
Casba melons make me think of two things. My pawpaw and Bugs Bunny. My pawpaw love them. I can't eat any melon without thinking of him.And I remember Bugs would use casba as a euphemism
ive been pretty behind on the challenge too. ive eaten just about every fruit, that is until i saw your melon. i dont think ive ever seen that before…must stalk safeway to find it.
Nice!! Will give it a try if I see it in the stores 🙂 I am loving my frozen mixed berries in this heat and granny smith apples are a fave right now too!
I didn't find a fruit or veggie but went with a legume instead. I had fava beans! I got them fresh in a pod. Shucked them, boiled the beans, shelled the bean and cooked up with fresh garlic, kale, sundried tomato, balsamic vinegar, salt/pepper. Pretty good!
I picked up one of these the other week too! Didn't have any idea what it was but figured I'd give it a try. At least, I think it's the same as yours. It looks the same but it was classified as a crenshaw melon at my store.
Since I joined yesterday I'm still working on the first challenge! I'm half way there but I plan to go browse for new a new fruit and vegetable today!
I'm not a big fan of most melons, I pretty much only like watermelon, I'll eat the others but if I had a choice I'd choose pretty much any other fruit. Most are too sweet for me so maybe I'll give this one a try.
I FOUND THESE AT MY LOCAL COSTCO?! [uhhh sorry about the caps]my new fav food lately have been persimmons.
Haven't seen these… sounds like a good find! Wow, that curry recipe sure looks interesting!!