Robbie Sigona’s Produce Tips: Heirloom Melons

• Press very gently on the end opposite the stem end, there should be a slight give.

• For melons with ribs or netted flesh like the cantaloupe, look for pronounced ridges and netting and distinct color variation.
  

  Charentais melon

• More importantly, give all melons a sniff to check for a sweet fragrance.

• Once you get the melon home store it at room temperature until fully ripe then refrigerate it.

• Once cut, a melon needs to be refrigerated. Leave the seeds in any unused portions to maintain moisture. For optimal flavor let chilled melons come to room temperature before eating.

• When selecting cantaloupe, look for a nice gold colored cast (or rind).

• Cantaloupes should be heavy for their size.

• Look for the “full slip” on the stem end, meaning there is a clean, smooth indentation. This shows that the fruit was fully ripe and ready to be picked and came off easily when pulled from the vine.

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Robbie Sigona is our produce buyer. He works with local farmers and scours the market for the very best in fresh fruits and vegetables — some you won’t find anywhere else.