Cantaloupe

[curly_kate]

It's cantaloupe season! Anyone have any good recipes? I've already made preserves (w/peaches), soup & sorbet.

 

[blurose]

I've never tried this myself, but just might this year. It is said to be the perfect use for a slightly underripe melon.

CANTALOUPE PICKLE

1 medium underripe cantaloupe
1 qt. vinegar
2 c. water
1 tsp. mace
2 (3") sticks cinnamon
2 Tblsp. ground cloves
4 c. sugar

* Peel cantaloupe and cut in 1" sections. Cut sections crosswise
* Combine vinegar and water in kettle; bring to boil; add spices, tied loosely in cheesecloth. (or if you prefer to leave spices in pickles, do not tie them in cheesecloth.)
* Place cantaloupe in a monmetal container. Bring the vinegar water to a boil and pour over cantaloupe. Let stand overnight.
* In morning, drain cantaloupe; bring vinegar-water mixture to a boil. Add sugar and cantaloupe and cook until melon pieces are transparent, about 1 hour. Remove spice bag.
* Fill hot, sterilized pint jars with cantaloupe. Keep syrup boiling. Add syrup to jars to within 1/8" from top. Make certain it covers the melon. Seal at once. Process in boiling water bath (212 F) 5 minutes. Makes 2 pints.

VARIATION:
You can use 2 c. white and 2 c. brown sugar instead of all white sugar.

NOTE: A medium syrup is desireable. If it is too thin, boil it longer. Keep the jars of cantaloupe pickles warm by setting them in a kettle of hot water until syrup is ready.

 

[curly_kate]

Sounds interesting. I'll have to give that a try.