PLEASE tell me you caught that Dirty Dancing reference...I couldn't resist!
On a hot summer day, there is just something so refreshing about melon. Honeydew, canteloupe, watermelon… their sweet, juicy flavor punch is kind of irresistible, especially for breakfast or post-barbecue. They also boast antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help prevent health issues from cancers to heart disease, digestive ailments and even the common cold!Canteloupe, with its peach-colored flesh, is easy to serve up in slices or cubed – I remember it being on every diner menu with a scoop of cottage in its center when I was growing up! In addition to the benefits listed above, and its great taste, it also contains a lot of fiber to help maintain healthy weight and blood sugar levels.
Honeydew melons help maintain healthy skin ad hair…I had no idea! I think of all of the melons, this one might actually be my favorite. It is super sweet, as its name implies, but helps quench both thirst and hunger.
Watermelon, as I learned last night, not only quenches your thirst but it also lends a nice twist to the common margarita. Health benefits are awesome, but a perfect cocktail can also be pretty terrific! Some people also love watermelon and tomato salad which is easy to prepare or to find on seasonal menus.
If you want to try something new, dice up some melon (either one kind alone, or a mixture of a few), and sprinkle it with a little fresh lime juice, a pinch of salt, maybe even a drizzle of agave, and fresh mint.
