Melon is an apt food in summers for weight management and also prevents dehydration.

Summer brings different types of delicious, succulent melons to the market. As the farmers let them slowly mature on their vines until perfectly ripe so that their sweet, subtle tastes can be savoured as summer begins. Bursting with juice and flavours, these stars of summer are delicate and sweet when ripe. Melons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, making them relatives of squashes and cucumbers and scientifically muskmelons are called Cucumus melo.

“Cantaloupe, internally know as Musk Melon, is enriched with the goodness of high Vitamin A and C, folate, potassium, antioxidant and are high in water and low in calorie contents” says Ashu Gupta, Founder, Ashu Gupta’s Diet Clinic and an acclaimed dietician and nutritionist. The summer fruit is apt for weight management and prevents dehydration. One of the reason is because of the nutritional value and less calorie count.

Benefits of eating musk melon

–          Promotes weight loss,

–          Are healthy for bones.

–          Is great for people with asthma, diabetes, and cancers.

–          Has the highest quantity of beta-carotene in the entire fruit group

–          Helps fight disease-causing free radicals.

Apart from these, the list of goodies is endless, “musk melon is also rich in Vitamin K, niacin, choline, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and not to forget, just a cup contains almost 1.5 gms of proteins too” highlights, Ashu Gupta.

How to snack Musk Melons

Available only during the summer month and beyond enjoying the freshness of Musk Melons in the traditional ways of eating sliced or in fruit salads, some great ways of consuming them are by making them into – Tandoori Kebabs with Chutney, Crispy Fried, as Smoothie, as desserts with low-fat frozen yoghurt topping, cold soups, as skewers, rolls and wraps, salads and as garnishes over various dishes. The list in endless and so are the choices, no reasons why this fruit cannot be termed as a superfood.

The Mighty Melon – Recipe by Chef Mahesh Ishwar, Senior Executive Chef, Radisson Blu Goa Cavelossim

Compressed Melon Salad with fresh Burrata, Baby Arugula, Dry Lavender, toasted pumpkin seed – Laced with Coorgi Honey Dressing.

Ingredients:

∙         Honey Dew Melon (Firm)           250gm

∙         Pumpkin Seeds                               5gm

∙         Lemon                                             2no

∙         Mint Leaves                                    2gm

∙         Organic Coorgi Honey                   15ml

∙         Extra Virgin Olive Oil                      10ml

∙         Fresh Burrata                                   1nos

∙         Sea Salt                                              1gm

∙         Cinnamon powder                           1gm

∙         Dry Lavender                                     1gm 

∙         Crushed Black Pepper                      as per Taste

Methodology:

Step 1: Wash, Peel and cut the honeydew melon into uniform wedges.

Step 2: Using a Food grade plastic bag place the Melon wedges, Lemon Wedges, Fresh mint and vacuum pack it.

Step 3: Let it Rest overnight in the refrigerator till the melon is infused with flavour.

Step 4: Quickly dip and remove the melon from cold water, let it rest on the kitchen towel.

For the Dressing:

Combine coorgi honey, Cinnamon powder, extra virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper whisky it together till it is infused.

Plate it up:

Place the compressed melon, Burrata, rocket leaves, toasted pumpkin seed.

Garnish:  Dry Lavender