Description:
Melon grows on the surface of the ground and is a climbing vine. It originated in Africa and southwest Asia then gradually spread in Europe and other parts of the world. The fruit is round to oblong shape with netted skin and rib-like, grooved sections called "sutures". Its flesh is salmon-colored to rich orange color that is sweet, succulent and have a musky aroma. At the center is a small hollow cavity filled with seeds enmeshed in a mucilaginous substance. The seeds are small off-white color and are edible. The rind is greenish-orange.
Melons are culinary fruits that belong to the family Cucurbitaceae ( e.g.cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, gourds, squash...). These can easily cross-pollinate and have many different hybrid melons and varieties namely: European cantaloupe, North American cantaloupe, Persian melon, Japanese melon, Korean melon, Sharlyn melons, Muskmelon (C. melo), Horned melon (C. metuliferus), Casaba, Honeydew, sugar melon, hami melon, Kolkhoznitsa melon, winter melon, Santa Claus melon, Tiger melon, Canary melon, true muskmelons...
Parts used: Fruits and seeds
Preparation:
====Multicolored melon-ball salad====
You may pick from any varieties mentioned above to make a delicious salad.
Open the melon and remove the seeds.
Scoop the melons into balls.
Use each half as a basket in which to serve the multicolored melon-ball salad.
Topped with fresh, chopped mint.
=====Melon Seeds Snack=====
Put the seeds in a fine mesh wire strainer.
Rinse under tap running water.
Gently remove the gelatinous substance by gently pressing the seeds against the strainer using a spoon.
Drain and let the seed dry.
Place the seeds on a cookie sheet or baking pan and roast it in the oven for 15-20 minutes( 160-170F) or until brown.
sprinkle with salt and eat as a snack.
======Melon Juice======
Cut the melon in half and remove the seeds.
Scoop out flesh and put in a blender.
Add lemon juice.
Add sugar or honey to taste.
You may also add other fruits like peaches or a ready made yogurt.
Medicinal properties & Health Benefits:
Melon is an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids) and is one of the fruits that give the
highest source of vitamin A.
Melons are also abundant in vitamin C, one arm of the now-famous disease-fighting antioxidant trio. Another arm that's well represented is beta-carotene. Researchers believe that beta-carotene and vitamin C are capable of preventing heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. No matter which way you cut them, when it comes to nutrition, melons are number one.
The abundant vitamin A content, alpha-carotene (lutein), beta-carotene(beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) makes it a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent lung cancer, colon as well as oral cavity cancer. It is good for the eyes, mucus membrane and skin. It is also a valuable source of lycopene that reduces the risk of prostate, pancreatic, breast, and endometrial cancers. Melons are also rich in Vitamin C, B vitamins (B1, B3, B6, and folate) as well as vitamin K. Aside from vitamins, melons have electrolytes and minerals like folate, magnesium and potassium to help regulate body fluids and control heart rate and blood pressure.
Melon is a good source of fiber and is a natural weight-loss food.
The seeds are a good source of omega-3 fat(alpha-linolenic acid)
The zea-xanthin content provide antioxidant and protects from age related macular degenerationMelon also has anti-inflammatory properties like the presence of cucurbitacins (cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E) as well as the high concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) an anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.
In other words, Melons are beneficial for the following conditions/diseases:
Cancers (especially lung, colon, pancreatic, prostate, oral cavity, breast, endometrial cancers)
Heart Disease, Atherosclerosis, stroke, blood pressure
Inflammation
Weight loss
Eye conditions (e.g. age-related macular degeneration)
THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TRYING THIS AND AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.