Picking (harvesting) Watermelon

Harveting watermelons is not as straight forward as many other vegetables when it comes to deciding exactly when to harvest. One of the reasons is that they do not slip off the vine like cantaloupes when ripe. This makes it is necessary to look for other indicators. Rolling the melon over and looking at the ground spot where the melon was laying is probably the best method. If that portion of the watermelon is a pale yellow color, the melon should be ripe. You can also look at the tendrils (short, curly, stem-like vine) next to the melon. The tendrils are close to the area where a leaf is attached to the main vine. When the first tendril next to the fruit looks dead and dried up, the melon closest to that tendril should be ripe. Watermelons will store longer than other melons and should be refrigerated, especially after cut.

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Picking Cantaloupe (harvesting)

 

You can start picking cantaloupe when the outside skin starts to turn from green to yellow. A ripe canteloupe easily slips off the vine where it is attached. Caution needs to be taken while picking cantaloupe and when you are working in and around melon plants so as to not step on vines. The vines will most likely have other melons attached to them that need additional time to grow and ripen. Checking the plants every 2 to 3 days for ripening cantaloupes will help ensure you reap the maximum results.

After picking cantaloupe it is important to refrigerate them if you intend to store them for a few days before eating. Ripe cantaloupes do not store well for more that a week once taken off the vine and should be eaten as soon as possible.

Picking canteloupe should be done early in the day after the plants are dry with care being taken not to damage the vines.

Picking canteloupe every other day at the beginning of the season and then every day at peak season is a good schedule to follow.

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Exotic Vegetables… Calabaza Squash

Calabaza Squash

Calabaza is a type of pumpkin-like squash that is round in shape and varies in size. It can be as large as a watermelon or as small as a cantaloupe. The color of calabaza can also vary and may include greens, tans, reds and oranges. Some squash are all one color while other calabaza are multi-colored and may include all of colors listed above. This squash is popular in the Caribbean as well as Central and South America. It is also commonly called a West Indian Pumpkin.

Whole calabaza may be difficult to slice. Slicing through the tough rind often calls for a heavy cleaver or a very sharp knife. If the squash resists slicing, remove the stem and place the knife or cleaver blade along the squash’s length. Gently tap the blade with a hammer until the squash falls open. Scoop out the seeds, peel and prepare!

Selection
Calabaza is often sold already chopped into chunks in many Latin markets. This is because of the difficulty many have in chopping the whole squash (see box below). Select pieces with a fresh, moist and unblemished flesh. Soft or wet spots means the squash is beginning to spoil. The color of the flesh should be a bright orange. Whole squash are more difficult to find, but if you find one, select one that still has the stem attached and is heavy for its size. You should avoid purchasing a squash with bruises, cuts, or soft spots. Calabaza is available year round

Storage
Whole calabaza may be stored in a cool, dry space for up to 6 weeks. Cut calabaza should be wrapped tightly or placed in a covered container in the refrigerated for no more than one week.

Preparation
Calabaza has a sweet flavor and its texture is firm. This is similar to the taste and texture of more familiar varieties of squash, such as butternut or acorn. Calabaza may be substituted in recipes calling for those more common types of squash.

Calabaza is most commonly baked, either cut in sections or in cubes. Its seeds may also be roasted in a similar way as pumpkin seeds. Simply place on a baking sheet coated in cooking spray until brown and crisp.

Source: FruitsandVeggiesMatter.gov

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