Musky and Sweet Cantaloupes!
Discover > Texas Home Cooking > Musky and Sweet Cantaloupes!
The cantaloupe (how long does cantaloupe last?)season in Texas is in full swing! The season typically runs from May to September but it started a bit late this year. Cantaloupes are a type of muskmelon, and they're grown in many parts of the state. The Rio Grande Valley is a particularly good place to find them. Although if you're hankerin' for some of the famed Pecos Cantaloupes, you'll have to wait until around early July to satisfy your cravings. Mandujano Brothers Produce is optimistic that they'll have a crop of Pecos Cantaloupes this season so be sure to check them out to see when these amazing golden balls of flavor will be available!
Don't let that stop you though, while waiting for the famed Pecos Cantaloupes, you can get regular cantaloupes at your local farmer's markets at really affordable prices especially when they're in season!
Cantaloupes are a refreshing summer fruit, and they're perfect for eating on their own or using in salads. They're also a good source of vitamins A and C. So what are you waiting for? Go out and enjoy some cantaloupes while they're still in season!
How to Select the Best Cantaloupes
Here are some tried and tested tips and tricks on how to select the best cantaloupes in Texas!
When selecting a cantaloupe, make sure to give it a good smell. The melon should have a sweet, musky aroma.
Avoid melons with foul odors as they're likely past their prime. Don't worry about confusing musky and foul, your brain will tell you if a melon has gone bad!
The cantaloupe should also feel heavy for its size and the skin should be dull in color. If the skin is too shiny, it's an indication that the cantaloupe isn't ripe yet.
The cantaloupe squeeze test. Give the cantaloupe a gentle squeeze. It should yield to pressure but not be too soft and not too hard. Just like Goldilocks, it should feel "just right"
Once you've selected the perfectly ripe cantaloupe, enjoy it as soon as possible for the best flavor. If you need to store it, place it in the fridge where it will keep for a few days. Cut cantaloupes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Now that you know how to select and store cantaloupes, it's time to enjoy them! Cantaloupe is delicious on its own or paired with other fruits and vegetables in a salad. It also makes a great addition to smoothies or juices. Try experimenting with different flavors and ingredients to find your perfect cantaloupe recipe!
When are Cantaloupes Ready to Pick?
Finding the right time to pick cantaloupes can help you choose a good crop from a bad one.
Keep in mind that when you harvest too soon, the melon's sugars won't have enough time to fully sweeten. As a result, you get a tasteless melon.
And if you picked them, they will not continue to ripen.
On the other hand, if you harvest too late, you'll get soft, mushy fruit.
Typically, they are ready for harvesting between 70 and 100 days after planting. A ripe cantaloupe does not need pulling. Instead, it will just slip easily from the vine.
For more information on Cantaloupes, local farms and ranches, and other places to get this amazing musky-sweet fruit, check out the TexasRealFood promptuary here. And if you're looking for Pecos Cantaloupes, our promptuary entry on Pecos Cantaloupes can help you!
Cantaloupe Events and Festivals Around Texas
Golden Girl of the Old West Revue & Little Miss Cantaloupe Pageant
These events are held annually to honor the exceptional young women of historic Pecos. Teens compete for the title of Golden Girl and little ladies compete for the title of Little Miss Cantaloupe. Cost: $20/person. For tickets and more information, call 432-445-2406.
Tickets: $20
When: June 16, 2023 - 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Official Site: VisitPecos
Pecos Cantaloupe Food Show 2023
Last year’s Cantaloupe food show was on August 6, but we don’t have the schedule for 2023. Don’t worry though, we will be keeping an eye on the VisitPecos site and their facebook page and we will be updating this page as soon as we get the information.
Unfortunately, we don't have many cantaloupe festivals around Texas and many of the older festivals have not been updated. If you know of any cantaloupe festivals in the Lone Star State, let us know in the comments below!
