Looking down the list, you’ll want to head to your nearest farmer’s market or grocery store to stock up on this delicious and healthy fruit. Also known as sweet melon, cantaloupe is the superstar of the melon family. It’s at its best in the summer when it’s perfectly firm, sweet, and refreshing. Try it in a summer tomato salad, toss it into pasta, or blend it with ice for a frosty granita. You really can’t go wrong with these foolproof recipes. Get ready for some awesome melon munchies!
1. Summer Tomato Cantaloupe Salad
With all its bright color, this salad looks like summer in a bowl. And you’ll taste those long, lazy beach days in every bite. Chopped cantaloupe is tossed with sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy red onion, and refreshing cucumber. This vibrant medley is then drizzled with a zesty lime dressing to create a wonderfully delicious salad plate.
2. Cantaloupe Agua Fresca
Agua fresca is a non-alcoholic beverage from South America, best sipped on summer afternoons. This thirst-quenching version has plenty of fruity goodness. It’s made with cantaloupe, water, lime, and a touch of sweetener.
3. Cantaloupe Cucumber Salad
Stay cool this summer with this light, fruity salad. The perfect mix of sweet and savory, it’s made with melon, cucumber, fresh basil, and crumbly feta. It keeps well in the fridge, so make this ahead of time for your next summer dinner party. Guests will go crazy for the tangy taste and juicy crunch.
4. Cantaloupe Granita
Granita is a crushed ice dessert, originating from Sicily. Beat the heat with this melon version, made with just three ingredients – cantaloupe, sugar, and water. You won’t need any special equipment for this one. Just blend the ingredients together, and freeze. Break it up with a fork before it turns solid to get that signature choppy texture.
5. Chilled Cantaloupe Soup
Creamy and thick, this recipe is more of a smoothie than soup. It’s a chilled, refreshing mix of melon, orange juice, and Greek yogurt.
6. Melon Pineapple Fruit Salad
This pretty salad is sure to attract attention at your next backyard BBQ. Made with watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and pineapple, it’s all the colors of the rainbow. And it’s bursting with juicy sweet flavors (which is how I imagine rainbows taste).
7. Cantaloupe and Pancetta Cream Sauce for Pasta
This unique recipe pairs pancetta with melon for a mildly sweet, creamy pasta sauce. You won’t believe how good this tastes until you try it. So make it, enjoy it, and feed it to your family and friends.
8. Strawberry Cantaloupe Smoothie
This yummy smoothie will keep kids happy on the hottest summer day. Packed with healthy fruit and protein-rich yogurt, kids will love the dreamy taste while parents will love the nutritional content.
9. Cantaloupe Salsa
This vibrant salsa goes with everything. Chips, pita bread, crackers, veggie crudites, even just eaten solo with a spoon. It’s an addictive mix of melon, onion, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro. This bold-tasting blend would be great for game day.
10. Tomato Cantaloupe Panzanella
Panzanella is a traditional Italian salad, made with chunks of crusty bread. It’s ideal for a light lunch or summer snack. This fruity version is beautifully balanced with both sweet and savory notes.
11. Cantaloupe Risotto
If you’ve never made risotto before, don’t worry. This easy recipe shows you how to make a tasty, summer-style risotto with minimal fuss. Unlike conventional risotto, this can be served chilled or at room temperature for a warm-weather bite. It’s made with chunks of juicy cantaloupe and tender rice grains in a buttery parmesan dressing.
12. Cantaloupe Gazpacho with Blueberry and Basil
Chilled soup is an elegant summer appetizer, and it doesn’t get much better than this fruity gazpacho. Made with blueberry, melon, fresh basil, and cucumber, you can whip this one up in the blender in seconds. Serve with your choice of micro-greens, chopped chives, and/or a sprinkling of lime zest.
13. Cantaloupe with Honey Ginger Dressing
This simple but heavenly recipe goes back to basics with chunks of cantaloupe in a spicy-sweet dressing. Pile it into a bowl and serve as a light salad. Or dress it up for dessert with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
14. Mint Jicama Cantaloupe Salad
Jicama is a starchy South American legume with a mild sweet taste. It pairs perfectly with cantaloupe here in a crunchy salad that boasts an amazing array of tastes and textures. Creamy feta, fresh mint, zesty citrus, and nutty seeds, this salad is divinely diverse and delicious!
15. Cantaloupe Strawberry Popsicles
These stripy, fruity popsicles will make your kids love you forever and do all their chores. Ok, maybe not the latter, but you’ll definitely earn parent points for this refreshing treat. There’s no added sugar either! Just two ingredients – melon and berries – mixed together and frozen. Sometimes, the best snacks are the most simple!
16. Spiced Cantaloupe Tea Loaf
This fun twist on a fruit loaf is a must-try for curious foodies. You’ll barely taste the melon in this ginger and cinnamon loaf. But you’ll know it’s there from the wonderfully moist texture.
17. Melon Mosaic Salad
This arty salad is an eye-catching plate of refreshing goodness. Squares of melon, cucumber, feta, and avocado are arranged in a pretty mosaic for a dish that’s almost too good-looking to eat. You will eat it, though. You won’t be able to help yourself after adding the warm honey vinaigrette.
18. Cantaloupe Mocktini or Martini
With or without booze, this is a delightful cocktail that’ll get you in the mood for summer. It’s a fresh blend of cantaloupe, lime juice, sparkling water, and either honey or maple syrup. If you’re hosting a fancy summer soiree, you can easily turn this into a melon martini by adding 4 ounces of vodka and an ounce of triple sec.
19. Prosciutto and Cantaloupe Pizza
This white pizza isn’t just loaded with healthy veggies, it’s also crazy delicious. Topped with peppery arugula, cantaloupe, and bubbly mozzarella, it’s an amazing blend of complex flavors.
20. Carrot Cantaloupe Juice
This simple, sweet juice is a gorgeous summer pick-me-up. Made with just cantaloupe and carrot, you’ll be surprised at the depth of flavor in this nutritious smoothie. Served over ice, it’s a refreshing treat that’ll cool you down as the temperatures soar. Click on a star to rate it!
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