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How to cut a cantaloupe

I am going to go over how to cut a cantaloupe in 3 easy ways. Some might be intimidated not knowing what to do with this fruit but it’s very simple.

Once you try this delicious melon, you will want to grab one every time you hit up the grocery store to make slices and chunks for your next snack or Fruit salad.

When you are buying cantaloupe you want to look at the exterior and avoid ones with lots of bruises or soft spots. Here is what you should look for when buying a ripe canteloupe.

The little circle at the top where to stem was will have a little give or squish to it and if you smell that spot, you will get a sweet smell if it is fresh and ready to go.

You can always buy them not ripe yet and place them with bananas or apples on the counter and that will help ripen the melon.

Not only is it simple to cut up but also its juicy, sweet, tender insides hold many nutrients. Cantaloupe is great in a fruit salad or fruit platters but also just to have on hand as a healthy snack.

How to cut a cantaloupe video

how to cut a cantaloupe slices and chucks

How to cut a cantaloupe Instructions

It is important to have a ripe cantaloupe melon when you are cutting for two reasons.

One, being that it is easier to cut the more ripe and soft it is, and two, your fruit will have a lot more of a sweet flavor and they are juicier when it is ripe.

Make sure that you have a sharp knife. I like to use a chef’s knife or even a paring knife when I am cutting up chunks and cubes or taking off the rind.

Get yourself a heavy-duty cutting board and a sharp knife so that you can easily get through the melon.

1. Clean and prepare the cantaloupe

washing cantaloupe under cold water

Always wash your fruit before you start to cut into it. You can use a fruit or veggie spray or a gentle soap. Even though you are not going to be eating the outside it is important to wash it.

This will ensure that you don’t bring any bacteria or pesticides into the fruit when you cut into it.

2. Cut the ends off the melon

Cutting the end off of the cantaloupe

You want to start by cutting off the ends. This will give you more stability when you cut it in half. Now flip it over so that it is standing on one of the cut ends and slice it down the middle.

You do not have to peel the rind off before you cut the cantaloupe.

You are going to cut through the rind of the cantaloupe.

You now have two big halves. Taking one half, lay it down on with the inside of the melon facing down.

Next, you want to scoop out the inside of the cantaloupe to take out all the seeds.

With it on its sturdy side, go ahead and make slices going across widthwise in 1-1 1/2 inch slice. Repeat this with the other half as well.

You can eat them just like this or if you want more manageable slices, go ahead and cut each slice in half. These are great for snacks or for fruit platters as well.

You can also follow these steps when you’re cutting a watermelon.

3. How to cut a Cantaloupe into Slices and Wedges

slicing the cantaloupe

Now that you have your slices you are going to take each slice one at a time and lay it rind side down.

Take your knife and lay it flat so that you are slicing right above the green part of the melon where it turns orange. Slide your knife across the rind until it’s fully detached from the fruit.

Avoid the green flesh as it is a little bitter. If you are left with a few spots of green on your slices it isn’t the end of the world. You can either leave them or if you really want go ahead and cut them off.

4. How to cut cantaloupe into cubes

cutting cantaloupe

This can be done in one of two ways.

  1. Before you cut the rind from your slice you can take it and make cuts into the slice down to the rind but not through it. Then follow step 3 above and lay your knife flat and cut through your slice of cantaloupe. Your chunks will fall off the rind right into the cut sizes you already made.
  2. Slice your cantaloupe off from the rind as we previously did in step
  3. Once you have no more rind then go ahead and cut up that slice into chunks of your desired size.

This is the way to go when you are making fruit salad. You want to be sure to cut it up into manageable bite-size pieces.

How to Serve Cut Cantaloupe

There are so many ways to use this delicious melon when you have cut it and have all the seeds removed. Some of the best ways are

  • Fruit salad is by far the most common way to serve cut cantaloupe. This is when it is cut into chunks.
  • Another great way is just to serve it in a wedge form. Think of it just the same way that you might watermelon.
  • You could also through them in a smoothy or maybe a yogurt to give it a punch of flavor.
  • It is also a great-looking garnish on a plate and adds a bit of sweetness to a dish.

Other Melons Like Cantaloupe

The most common melons that could substitute cantaloupe would be honeydew with watermelon coming in 2nd. the honeydew has a closer flavor.

There are some others like orange honeydew, canary, and casaba but I have never tried these.

When a cantaloupe is ready to be cut it should be firm with a little bit of give to the outside. Give the top where the stem was a little push. You want a little give to it. If it is hard then it is not ready.

Also, a great way to tell if it is ripe enough is by smelling the top of it where the stem was cut off. If it has a sweet smell to it, then it’s ready to go.

If you are looking to sweeten up your cantaloupe simply sprinkle a little bit of sugar (or sugar substitute) and then mix up the cubes.

I always go by the saying “you can always add but you can’t take out”, so start will a little, and if you need it sweeter then add more sugar until it’s just right.

how to cut a cantaloupe slices and chucks

How to Cut Cantaloupe (3 Ways)

Bob
Here I am going to show you three simple ways on how to cut a cantaloupe. This melon is great when you are making up a fruit platter, fruit salad or to just have as a good healthy snack.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 47 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cantaloupe

Instructions
 

  • Wash your cantaloupe under cold water. If you have a fruit wash you like to use that is great too. You want to make sure that you give it a little scrub to get off any bacteria or pesticides.

Cut cantaloupe into slices with rind

  • Cut off both ends of your cantaloupe and flip it over so that it is standing on the cut flat end. Slice in right down the middle cutting the whole fruit in half.
    Scoop out all the seeds inside the sliced halves.
    With the rine side up, cut into slices going across the fruit. That's it!

Cut cantaloupe into slices without rind

  • Follow the same steps as if you were going to keep the rinds on. Then take each slice one at a time and place with the rind size down.
    Lay your knife flat and cut across and slice right above the green part. You want to avoid the green part as much as you can.
    It is ok if you get a little bit of the green part, you can go back and cut it off or you can just leave it.

Cut cantaloupe into chunks

  • You can do this one of two ways. Both are quite simple so whichever you are more comfortable with.
  • 1. Cut up your cantaloupe into slices with the rind still on. Make little cuts across each slice only until the rind but without cutting all the way through.
    Then, lay your knife flat and cut above the green part of the rind and your chunks will fall right off for you.
  • 2. Go ahead and cut up your cantaloupe like you are cutting it into sliced without the rind. Once you have cut all of your slices off the rinds go ahead and cut them into bite-size pieces.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 22mgPotassium: 368mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 4667IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
Keyword 3 ways to cut a cantaloupe, How to cut a cantaloupe
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