Honeydew is a sweet and refreshing fruit that can be enjoyed throughout the year. However, cutting a melon can be difficult if you are new to the process.
To cut a honeydew melon, first you need to prepare it properly. This will help to keep it safe from mold contamination.
Rinse the Melon
Rinsing the melon removes germs and bacteria from the fruit before you cut it, so this practice is important. If you do not rinse the melon before cutting it, it is possible that the knife can transfer germs to the edible flesh of the melon, which could lead to a foodborne illness.
It is important to remember that melons are grown in close contact with the ground, which can occasionally introduce bacterial contamination. This can be transferred to the melon during harvest or during transportation.
Trim the Ends
If you’re making a fruit salad or fruit platter, try trimming the ends of your honeydew to create beautiful pieces of food. This step is easy and makes cutting the melon safe and clean.
To make a smooth cut, stand your melon up on one end and trim away the rind. Repeat until all of the rind has been removed.
Slice the Melon
When you’re ready to eat your melon, there are several different ways you can slice it. You can cut it into thin slices, wedges or bite-sized cubes.
If you want to remove the rind, start by running your knife down the melon following its natural curve. Repeat this until all of the rind is gone.
Scrape the Seeds
Honeydew is a sugar-rich liquid that aphids expel as they feed on plant sap. These bugs need sap for their proteins, but it’s mostly water and sugars with just a bit of protein (0.2-1.8 per cent dry weight).
When these insects collect too much of the sticky sap, they produce honeydew. This can suffocate plants and provide a breeding ground for sooty mold, which stains leaves black.
Cut the Melon in Half
Honeydew melon is a popular summer fruit that’s perfect for smoothies, salads, or desserts. It’s also easy to cut and serves well as a snack.
The best way to cut the melon is to slice it lengthwise into 1in sections or cubes. Hold each section firmly in place on the cutting board to keep it from sliding.
Cut the Melon in Quarters
Melons are a summer staple because they’re bursting with Vitamin C and potassium, and they’re low in calories. Serve them as a snack or at the start or end of meals.
If you have a large melon, slice it into quarters. Then scoop out the seeds and keep them in any unused portion to prevent it from drying out.
Cut the Melon into Wedge
The sweet, juicy flavor of honeydew makes it an ideal summer fruit. It’s also great for serving in fruit salads, grilled fruit kabobs, and as melon ice cubes.
To cut the melon into wedges, place one of the halves skin side down on a cutting board and make cuts vertically down the length of the fruit. This will give you about eight or ten small wedges.
Cut the Melon into Balls
One of the best ways to enjoy honeydew is to cut it into melon balls. These sweet spheres make a delicious addition to ice cream, smoothies, and salads.
This method is easy and can be done by hand or with a kitchen utensil called a melon baller. Put the melon baller on the cut side of the melon and scoop into the flesh with a rounded motion to form a ball.