The Christmas melon, a sweet honeydew-like fruit with orange-yellow flesh and mottled green skin, ripens in December and is often served at holiday meals. It can be found in high-end grocery or specialty stores and should be vine-ripened for the best flavor. It is usually served on its own and can be prepared by cutting it vertically and scooping out the seeds and pulp.
Many people consider summer or fall to be the peak season for melons, but there is a special variety of melon that ripens in December. Because of this unusual winter ripening, it is called Christmas melon or Santa Claus melon. Its flavor is said to be reminiscent of a very sweet honeydew melon, with orange-yellow flesh and mottled green skin similar to a watermelon.
Christmas melon is often served at holiday meals in place of other fruits that may be out of season and less flavorful. Many countries around the world grow varieties of this melon to provide year-round fresh fruit. For example, it’s often one of the 13 traditional foods served at a French Christmas dinner.
Finding a melon may require a shopping trip to high-end grocery stores or specialty stores, but the prospect of having fresh melons this holiday season should be an incentive. Experts suggest looking for a vine-ripened Christmas melon if possible, as time spent on the vine prior to harvesting often yields a more satisfying product. It can also be allowed to ripen on a shelf for a few days, just like a melon or underripe cantaloupe.
A ripe Christmas melon should give a little when pressure is applied to the flower end. It should also be relatively heavy for its size and have a pleasant aroma. Preparing and serving a melon begins by cutting it vertically and scooping out the seeds and pulp. The flesh can be scooped out with a melon baller, cut into smaller wedges, or cut into manageable chunks. This melon is usually served on its own, not in a fruit compote or other mixed melon dish.
The next time a cook finds himself looking for an interesting side dish for a traditional holiday dinner, he might want to consider offering a fresh Christmas melon as a cold salad or healthy dessert.
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