What does a casaba melon look like?
The skin of a casaba is smooth (rather than netted like a cantaloupe), but wrinkled, with longitudinal furrows. Casaba melons range in size from three to five pounds (one to two kilograms). A ripe casaba melon should be bright yellow, and the blossom end should yield slightly to pressure.
Where are casaba melons grown?
Although native to Asia Minor, the casaba melon is grown commercially in South America and in the southwestern United States, particularly California and Arizona. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Are casaba melons good for You?
Casaba Melons are very high in Vitamin C. Just one serving gives you 62% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C. This is just one of the reasons why this type of melon should be included in your family diet. Casaba Melons are also a good source of iron, calcium, vitamin k and potassium.
How long does it take for casaba melon to ripen?
If not vine-ripened, a casaba melon can be ripened on the counter for two to four days, after which it can be refrigerated for about five days, or three days if sliced. Slice the melon in half, scoop out the seeds in the middle, and cube the remaining pieces.
How do you know when a casaba melon is ripe?
How To Tell If Casaba Melon Is Ripe. Casaba melons may need extra time to ripen once they're harvested. You'll know the casaba is ripe when it's hard, ridged rind is a bright, buttery yellow. The whole fruit will feel heavy for its size in your hands, and should be free of blemishes.
What is a casaba melon look like?
Casaba melons are golden yellow with greenish coloration on their wrinkled exterior. The round, pumpkin shaped melon has a slight point at the stem end. The flesh is creamy-green, juicy and lightly sweet.
What kind of melon is casaba?
muskmelonsCasaba melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo var. inodorus, are late-maturing muskmelons belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The unusually shaped and brightly colored melons grow on trailing vines and are a type of winter melon, requiring at least one hundred frost-free days to reach maturity.
Are casaba melons good?
The Casaba melon is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium and high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, dietary fiber, Vitamin K, potassium and copper. These nutrients are helpful in maintaining optimum health as well as weight loss.
How do you cut a casaba melon?
Cut the casaba in half from top to bottom. Set one half aside. Scooped seeds away for roasting, or toss them into the compost bin. Lay the long, flat surface of the melon on the cutting board, and cut the fruit into ½” or 1” slices.
What does casaba taste like?
The casaba melon is a variety of muskmelon that is closely related to the honeydew. The pale green flesh of the casaba melon has a mildly sweet flavor, and it has a wrinkly yellow rind with a pointed stem. The casaba melon, a close relative of the honeydew, has a mild, cucumber-like flavor and pale green flesh.
How do you grow casaba?
Make sure the soil is light and drains well. Regular watering for casaba melon is important, but so is avoiding wet conditions as well. Black plastic mulch is useful, as it keeps moisture in the soil and protects the plant from rot and disease. Casaba harvesting is a little different from other melons.
What is a casaba mean?
winter muskmelonor cassaba (kəˈsɑːbə ) noun. a kind of winter muskmelon having a yellow rind and sweet juicy flesh. Word origin.
What is the best melon?
Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon are the best known melons, but also be adventurous and try casaba, Crenshaw, Persian melons or other varieties. Some are grown in the United States. Others are imported from Central America and New Zealand. Enjoy the taste of summer with melons.
What does melon do to your body?
It also is low in fat and contains several key vitamins and minerals, such as: Vitamin C: proven to boost your immune system, as well as give you healthy skin, strengthen tissues, and promote healthy brain function. Potassium: an important mineral for healthy heart function.
Is melon anti-inflammatory?
Compounds called phytonutrients in cantaloupes give it anti-inflammatory properties. It's a good part of a healthy diet.
Are melons fattening?
Melons are low in calories and have a high water content, which makes them very weight loss friendly. Just 1 cup (150—160 grams) of melon, such as honeydew or watermelon, provides a modest 46—61 calories ( 1 ).
How big are Casaba melons?
Casaba melons are small to medium in size, averaging 3 to 8 pounds, and are found in varying shapes, sometimes appearing round, oval, to acorn-shaped. The melons generally taper to a slight point on the stem end and have a thick, tough, and smooth rind, textured with longitudinal furrows, wrinkles, and folds. Each melon has a unique appearance, and the irregular creases will be different depending on growing conditions and specific variety. The rind also transitions from green to golden yellow with green undertones when ripe. Underneath the surface, the flesh is dense, slippery, aqueous, tender, and succulent, showcasing pale green to white shades. There is also a central cavity filled with oval, tan seeds suspended between white fibers and liquid. Casaba melons emit a mild aroma, and the blossom end will yield slightly under pressure as a sign of maturity. The flesh is subtly sweet and musky, combined with cucumber and Asian pear nuances, followed by a faint spice-filled warmth.
What is a Casaba melon?
Botanically known as Cucumis melo var inodorus and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the Casaba melon is a unique looking variety of muskmelon. It belongs to the winter melon group, which is not an indicator of their growing season, but rather their hardiness and long shelf-life.
What app does Casaba Melon use?
People have shared Casaba Melon using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android .
What is the best way to use a Casaba melon?
Casaba melons are best utilized in raw preparations and will work well in both sweet and savory dishes. Clean the melons under running water as their deep exterior grooves can sometimes hold dirt and unwanted debris. Once peeled, the cubed flesh may be used similarly to other muskmelon, and perfect when a more subtle sugar level is desired. The pureed flesh can be added to cold soups, smoothies, sorbets, sauces and cocktails. The Casaba melon pairs well with curry, cucumber, chilies, lime, red onion, mint, basil, coconut milk and salty cheeses. The hard rind of the Casaba allows for and extended shelf life. Though the melons will continue to ripen and become more soft if after harvest if left at room temperature, their sugar levels will not increase once removed from the vine. Refrigerate cut up melon in a covered container up to three days.
Where did Casaba melon come from?
Geography/History. The Casaba melon was introduced to the United States in the late nineteenth century when it was imported from Kasaba, Turkey. Unlike several melon varieties, the Casaba does not "slip" from the vine at maturity.
How many days does it take for a melon to be harvested?
They require 110 frost-free days to reach harvest, which is more days than required by the summer melons (cantaloupe and watermelon). Other winter melons include, charental, Crenshaw, honeydew, and Persian. Casaba melons are a parent melon along with a cantaloupe variety to the Crenshaw melon.
What is the best mulch for casaba melon?
Regular watering for casaba melon is important, but so is avoiding wet conditions as well. Black plastic mulch is useful, as it keeps moisture in the soil and protects the plant from rot and disease.
What is the color of melon?
This varietal is green, turning to bright yellow when ripe, with a pointed stem end that gives it an acorn shape. It has a white flesh and a thick, tough rind that makes it a good choice of melon for winter storage.
Is casaba melon sweet?
Casaba melon ( Cucumis melo var inodorus) is a tasty melon related to honeydew and cantaloupe but with a flavor that is not as sweet. It is still sweet enough to eat, but has a slight spiciness. Successfully growing a casaba melon vine in the home garden requires a little knowledge about care and harvesting but is generally easy ...
When to cut melons to harvest?
They don’t slip when ripe, meaning they do not detach from the vine. To harvest, you need to cut the stem when they are close to maturity. The melons can then be stored and when the blossom end is soft, it is ready to eat. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 03/01/21.
Can casaba be grown in hot climates?
It grows on a vine and thrives in warm weather. Dry, hot climates are best for growing casaba, as the leaves are susceptible to disease triggered by wet, warm conditions. It can still be grown in humid regions and in climates with cold winters, but precautions need to be taken against cold temperatures and wet conditions.
Is honeydew a winter melon?
There are varietal subdivisions of C. melo, and casaba and honeydew both belong to the winter melon group. Casaba melons are neither smooth like honeydew, nor netted like cantaloupe. The skin is rough and deeply ridged.
What color is casaba melon?
The outer layer is crinkly with a yellow hue. Besides, this gourd comes with an elongated stem at the top part.
What happens when casaba melon ripens?
When casaba melon starts ripening on the vine, the wrinkly texture will appear on the outer layer and have a waxy surface. Do not worry about a bleached look that may occur because it will not cause a change in quality. Moreover, do not pick the fruit that is too solid or soft, green color, and dark flawed.
Why does Casaba grow so well?
Casaba grows well in dry locations with hot weather as well as other cultivars like Galia, honeydew, and Crenshaw melon. It is because the leaves are prone to diseases if they develop in warm and wet areas.
How to tell if a melon is ripe?
These criteria do not offer good quality melon. Then, you can identify the ripeness by shaking the fruit to hear the seeds make a rattling sound because there is not any fragrant while ripening. It shows you the vined ripen that contains more sugar levels to be more flavorful.
What are the benefits of eating melon?
More benefits that you will get by consuming this melon are supporting bone and muscle strength, maintaining the brain, kidneys, and other organs. Besides, they include metabolism improvement, water balance, and stress or anxiety reduction.
Is casaba melon healthy?
A casaba melon consists of vitamin B6, C, and K. It also becomes a good source of dietary fiber, folate, copper, and potassium. Other minerals are magnesium and choline. Meanwhile, sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol are the low contents in this fruit. Additionally, casaba melon calories are about 48 cal.
Where to store slicing melon?
While storing slicing melon in the fridge, keep the seeds inside the flesh and wrap the fruits or place them in containers for good taste.
What color are Casaba melon?
Casaba melons are golden yellow with greenish coloration on their wrinkled exterior. The round, pumpkin shaped melon has a slight point at the stem end. The flesh is creamy-green, juicy and lightly sweet.
Where are casaba melon from?
Seasonality: May - Sep#N#Origin: USA, Mexico#N#The casaba melon was first cultivated in Persia thousands of years ago. It wasn't introduced to the United States until the late nineteenth century when it was imported from Kasaba, Turkey.#N#Casaba melons are golden yellow with greenish coloration on their wrinkled exterior. The round, pumpkin shaped melon has a slight point at the stem end. The flesh is creamy-green, juicy and lightly sweet. Delicious eaten by as is, or for added flavor, try it with a sprinkle of ginger, salt, or a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Casaba melons add sweetness to fruit salads and are refreshing used in drinks, like fruit punch, margaritas or daiquiris.#N#Melissa’s Casaba Melons are hand-selected for excellent quality. Choose melons that are firm with a sweet fragrance. Look for fruit heavy for its size, yielding slightly under pressure. Keep cut or ripe fruit in refrigerator for up to three days. Ripen at room temperature.
Where are Casaba melon grown?
Most Casaba Melons that you see in the supermarket are grown in South America and the South Western United States; such as California and Arizona. This geography factor makes this melon available to the consumer year round.
How to tell if a Casaba melon is ripe?
The smell test won’t work with this melon because the skin is very thick. The aromatic scent doesn’t penetrate the skin but in order to determine the ripeness of the melon, lightly press the stem section. If this section gives way or is a little soft, you have a ripe melon.
What is the difference between a cantaloupe and a Casaba melon?
You may get this type of melon confused with a cantaloupe or dew melon if you aren’t familiar with the Casaba melon. A Casaba melon skin has ridges or lines, whereas a cantaloupe has sort of a bumpy texture and the dew melon skin is smooth.
Is Casaba Melon full of seeds?
As with most melons, the Casaba Melon is full of seeds.
Is Casaba melon high in vitamin C?
Casaba Melons are very high in Vitamin C. Just one serving gives you 62% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C. This is just one of the reasons why this type of melon should be included in your family diet. Casaba Melons are also a good source of iron, calcium, vitamin k and potassium.
Is Casaba Melon good for school?
The Casaba Melon would be a great nutritional addition to any school cafeteria menu. Its’ nutritional value is very high in vitamin c and other necessary nutrients.
