TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Just bought and enjoyed my first charente melon of the season to-day and it was quite tasty! I am very au fait on how to select this particular variety - let me know if anyone's interested!However, I'm never sure how to tell if the pale green and bright yellow rugby ball shaped Spanish ones are ripe enough to eat. Any tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Tap the end and listen for hollowsoundingness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 That doesn't sound right to me? Are you teasing me Dick? [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 No. I've seen old ladies do it in the supermarket. Tap with the middle finger of the right hand, slightly crooked, whilst arching the other fingers out of the way. Possibly extend the little finger.Or maybe you push it and see if it gives a little bit, sniff it and see if it smells of ripe melon.I think the hollowsoundingness may have been fresh-baked bread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PossumGirl Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 That is a method that a lot of folks use, but I've been told that it's not reliable. I think checking that the stem end is slightly soft and that there's a good melon odor is a better indicator. Also, for any melon that has a "netting" on the outside, you want to make sure that it doesn't have too many un-netted places. I've also been told to look at the color; there should be a creaminess to it, not too much bright green..PG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggimeggi Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 And once you have successfully chosen your melon, and if you have managed to find some stem ginger preserved in syrup, enjoy a slice of melon with just a teaspoon of the syrup drizzled over. They just belong together.Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 I like them as a starter with some Bayonne ham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanche Neige Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Halve the melon, get rid of the pips and fill the hollow with Pineau, that's how they eat it in 17 Charente-Maritime, serve half a melon per person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 Thank you all for your replies, but you seem to be talking abou the charente varietyI know how to choose those. At the moment they are not sweet enough, so I prefer the spanish varieties like these they don't have an odour when you smell them, so I don't know if I'm buying a ripe one or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tresco Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 I just wait for the Charentaise ones. I can deal with them, (mainly because someone just drops one off for me from time to time) but just in case I fancy a Spanish 'early' one, give me the foolproof test please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vervialle Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 I was told to smell them and shake them to see if the pips moved,on the smell front I have not a clue what you should be smelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 [quote user="Dick Smith"]No. I've seen old ladies do it in the supermarket. [/quote]I wonder what young ladies do?Another tip for the charentaise variety is if the stalk is just about ready to to come away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Twinkle - I reckon that Mr Smith is winding you up. Anybody who I now see in the supermarket with a melon in their hands and their fingers at all angles will, I know, be one of his fans. Don't do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 Don't worry I won't Ian. Who wants a hollow melon anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Fool proof method!!Check the sale by date - it works for me in Tescos!! [Www] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tresco Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Ali, you weren't that Martian were you? There are no date stickers here. Someone just brings them round and dumps them outside the door. Damned inconvenient if you ask me.Also, Gill mentioned the melon scooped out and filled with Pineau. That's also inconvenient; trying to find a way to eat the melon and leave the Rocket Fuel which is Pineau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 [quote user="Tresco"]Ali, you weren't that Martian were you? There are no date stickers here. Someone just brings them round and dumps them outside the door. Damned inconvenient if you ask me.Also, Gill mentioned the melon scooped out and filled with Pineau. That's also inconvenient; trying to find a way to eat the melon and leave the Rocket Fuel which is Pineau [/quote]I'll have it if you don't like it Tresco![:P]Charentaise melons are delicious with Serrano ham. Ask Sylvie on the meat counter to slice it "chiffonade" style - superb!! See how I got us back on topic there? I'm getting good at this forum thing[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tresco Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Charentaise melons are delicious with Serrano hamThat's how we have melon round here Twinks! Preferably.One wierd thing about melons though. Round/near here there are signs for melons everywhere (or there will be).But why don't you ever see them before? I see everything else but melons. Are they grown in secret hideaways or something?. Someone will tell me how to spot them, I'm sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 I actually grew 10 of them successfully a few years ago. They grow very close to the ground with huge leaves (like pumpkins) but they weren't ready to eat 'til about July. My hubbys grandmother sugested that I lay the fruit while it was growing on a brick or piece of terracotta tile. This keeps it warm during the day and protects it from the soggy soil preventing it from rotting.Oh my God, I went all Charley Dimmock then![:D] That's what happens when you bother with Tresco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tresco Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 LOL Twinks. I'm a sad case aren't I? That's what's called a rhetorical question. No need to answer [:-))]Are the Melons hidden by the leaves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 Yes you are! Yes they are.'Night God Bless[kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Me!! A martian!! Nope - but Mark told me to give that reply!! Honest!!I love Pineau as well - so if you do have any spare - save it for me, as well. [:)]Twinks!! Mark's very happy about the growing them on a tile suggestion - I can see him trying that one out, very soon.[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted April 28, 2006 Author Share Posted April 28, 2006 I've loads of tiles to spare if Mark is intersted. We had a massive storm last month and about 6 got blown off my roof! A couple of slices of melon goes really well with goats cheese too. See? Back on topic again[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 I suppose you will be nabbing my hubby to fix your roof next time we come over then. Whilst flashing your melons under his nose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 [quote user="KatieKopyKat"]I suppose you will be nabbing my hubby to fix your roof next time we come over then. Whilst flashing your melons under his nose.[/quote]I beg your pardon!! & there was me thinking Twinkle as a nice girl - I'm keeping Mark well away!! [blink] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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