How to Make Cantaloupe Balls
Cantaloupes are a good source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. These fruits are especially delicious when grown in your own summer garden. If you're purchasing cantaloupes from the supermarket, buy them in their peak season -- June to August -- for the best taste. If you're throwing a party or just want a fresh take on cantaloupe, making balls from the soft fruit is a quick and pleasing solution. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cantaloupe
- Melon baller
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Forks
- Toothpicks
- Mint or berry garnish
Instructions
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1
Cut open a ripe, fresh cantaloupe. Remove the seeds from each half.
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2
Dip the melon baller into the light-orange colored fruit. Twist it slightly and turn the handle toward you to make one ball. Go to the next section and scoop again. Place the balls into a single large bowl or several serving bowls. Repeat this process until you have removed all the fruit from the melon.
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3
Chill the cantaloupe balls until you're ready to serve them. Add a sprig of mint or a few fresh berries for garnish. Serve with salad-sized eating utensils or place toothpicks into each melon ball directly.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase a melon baller and keep it in your kitchen as standard equipment to use when melons are in season. This utensil costs between $1.00 and $20.00, depending on whether it is single or double-ended and what it's made of.
Rinse the melon baller and shake off excess water periodically if you are making a lot of cantaloupe balls; this prevents it from getting too sticky.
You can do the same thing with honeydews, casabas, watermelon and other types of melon. Create a colorful fruit salad by using several different colored melons.
If your cantaloupe isn't as naturally sweet as you'd hoped, drizzle a little honey over it before serving.
Children love using melon ballers. Cut each cantaloupe in half or quarters and give each child his or her own melon baller.
References
Resources
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