Recognize the signs of a perfectly ripe melon using these easy tips.
The key to delicious honeydew is paying attention to the signs its ready to eat.
Cut into it too soon, and you get a hard, flavorless fruit.
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When you spot one in season, here’s how to tell if it’s ripe.
Also, avoid any melons with blemishes or an asymmetrical shape.
Feel for Soft Spots
A good way to identify a ripe honeydew is to feel around.
Jennifer Causey
Sniff It
Another way to identify ripe fruit is by its aroma.
At maximum ripeness, honeydew gives off a sweet smell that some describe as slightly musky or floral.
If you could smell a honeydew melon from across the kitchen, its practically begging to be eaten.
GREG DUPREE
If it sounds hollow, theres a good chance its ripened.
A thud or a dense sound means there’s more ripening for it to do.
Can You Ripen Honeydew Melon at Home?
Honeydew melons are often sold under-ripe when they’re easier to ship and less prone to bruising.
With a bit of time and patience, you could easily ripen a honeydew melon at home.
Likebananasand apples, honeydew melons emit ethylene gas, which helps fruit ripen faster.
A ripe honeydew lasts in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Try these recipes that use honeydew in a fruit salad, cold soup, and an ice cream sundae.
Ginger-Lime Melon Salad
Honeydew added to any fruit salad delivers something sweet, colorful, and hydrating.
This creamy gazpacho cools you down on the hottest summer day.
If this recipe doesnt turn you into a honeydew stan, nothing will.
