Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Can't Escape Cantaloupe's Goodness

Melons are wonderful, especially cantaloupes. Their sweet taste is almost too heavenly and sinful. Yet they're the perfect snack and breakfast for dieters thanks to each melon having only fifty calories. They're also the perfect cooler for a hot day and treat after a hard day's work. Best of all they 're easy to eat and don't leave half the mess other fruits d0.

Cantaloupes are one of the world's oldest fruits, first being cultivated 2500 years ago in India and Asia. They arrived in ancient Rome around the time of Christ and became a staple of their diet.The fruit were named for the Cantaloupe Gardens, one of the Papal estates around Vatican City. What we have in America is not that, , it's the musk melon. Here in the states they're grown year round on farms in California, Arizona and Texas. When looking for a ripe one , look for one that has a pale cream or yellow color and no stem. If there are stems that means these have been picked prematurely and are unripened.

What I love about cantaloupe is that they're only fifty calories and no fat. They're the perfect light breakfast and great snack for summer. There's nothing like sitting outside on a hot summer night with a plate of chilled cantaloupe slices. The taste is candy sweet but light. The flesh is firm yet yielding. To be honest I've been scattering the seeds in my garden , hoping one or two vines will sprout up. (although this can be dangerous. Like any melon, cantaloupe plants can take over an entire lawn and choke out other plants). I would love to grown my own melons and just the idea of picking fresh cantaloupe is very appealing.

Cantaloupe is one of summer's must have. It's refreshing sweet and light. It's the perfect refreshment after a hot, sticky day.Best of all eat as many as you want and you won;t gain a pound!!!

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