Produce Briefs...
Witch Fingers Grapes
Witch Finger table grapes have elongated purple drupes. They look like small maroon chili peppers, tightly clustered together on bright green stems.
Wild Rice Shoots
The actual Wild Rice plant grows from 1.2 to 2.4 m in height and its leaves, when fully elongated, measure from 30 to 60 cm in length. The enlarged shoots are harvested, and the upper leaves cut off showing only the shoot with husk-like wrapper leaves.
Seasons/Availability
Crenshaw melons are available during the summer months. During the winter Crenshaw melon are often imported from Baja, Mexico.
Current Facts
Considered one of the sweetest varieties in the melon family, the Crenshaw is a hybrid cross between the Casaba melon and the Persian melon. There are two types of Crenshaw melons: green and white. The white variety is the most common as it is sunburn resistant. The Inodorous group of melons is called winter melons and includes the Crenshaw, honeydew, Casaba, Santa Claus, Persian and Juan Canary. These melons are generally larger melons, take longer to grow and have better shelf-lives than summer melon varieties. What they often lack compared to summer melons is fragrance.
Description/Taste
The teardrop shaped Crenshaw melon, also spelled Cranshaw, has a yellow and green, corrugated, rough, firm rind void of netting. Its dense, tender, peach-colored flesh is sweet and slightly spicy. The melon's skin turns golden-yellow at the peak of ripeness and will have slightly waxy feel. Crenshaw melons can weigh as much as eight to ten pounds.
Applications
Crenshaw melons are full-flavored and sturdy enough to be cooked. Fresh Crenshaw can be used as a breakfast fruit and as a salad ingredient. The Crenshaw may also be used as an ingredient in cold soups and desserts. Crenshaw melons pair well with fresh mozzarella, lime, mint, almonds and white wine. The Crenshaw is similar to a Cantaloupe in color and flavor and may be substituted.
Geography/History
Crenshaw melons grow in temperate and warm regions throughout the Mediterranean and the Americas. These melons also grow well in desert regions in Spring and Fall months. Their parent melons are native to Turkey and Iran. Crenshaw melons are known as one of the more delicate melons, thus handling is difficult and shipping is limited.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Crenshaw Melon. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Not Eating Out In New York |
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Cucumber Melon Salad |
| Chocolate and Zucchini |
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Apricot and Melon Crumble with Pinenuts |
| Use Real Butter |
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Melon Granita |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Crenshaw Melon using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Upper Haight Farmers' Market
Near San Francisco, California, United States About 165 days ago, 9/25/13 Spotter's comments : Crenshaw Melon spotted at Upper Haight Farmers' Market. Mmm... From Cipponeri Family Farms. |
