Florida cantaloupe is finally in season and we have it. In a department full of farm-fresh produce, the cantaloupe has its own special niche. Here are a few things you can make with them.
Cantaloupe Sorbet
Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo-Friendly!
What you’ll need:
- 4 cups cubed cantaloupe, about 1/2 of a medium-sized cantaloupe
- 1 TBSP maple syrup or raw honey
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
What to do:
- Start with a cantaloupe that is ripe, but not mushy!
(*tip: whole cantaloupes that feel heavier than expected and have a sweet scent are ripe!) Cut into cubes and arrange on a sheet of parchment paper in a single layer. - Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours
- Place the frozen cubes into a food processor and blend until the texture seems crumbly
- Add your lemon juice and syrup or honey and pulse until it’s all blended smoothly!
If you can’t scoop it easily with a spoon, add 1 TBSP of water at a time until it reaches a better consistency. - Enjoy!
Strawberry Cantaloupe Salad
Gluten-Free, Vegan
Strawberries are still in season, too, which gives this recipe the added bonus of additional farm-fresh produce from Farmer Joe’s!
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups of quartered strawberries
- 1 cantaloupe, scooped with a melon baller
- 1 lime, zest & juice
- 3 tsp sugar
- ¼ roughly chopped mint
What to do:
- Combine the fruit into a medium-sized bowl
- In a separate bowl, mix together the lime zest and juice, mint, and sugar until thoroughly combined
- Cover the fruit with the mixture and stir
- Enjoy!
This dish will develop a deeper flavor if allowed to chill in the fridge for one hour before serving
Cantaloupe Ice Cream Bowls
Gluten-Free
These are a tasty way to cut down on dishes! Modify to accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences – the possibilities are endless!
What you’ll need:
- 1 cantaloupe, halved
- 2 ripe frozen and peeled bananas
- 1 cup quartered strawberries
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
What to do:
- Once your cantaloupe is cut in half, scoop out the seeds from each half.
(*tip: you can also cut the exterior of the cantaloupe to give it a flat surface) - Blend frozen bananas, strawberries, and vanilla in a blender or food processor, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides frequently
- Spoon the strawberry banana mixture into the prepared cantaloupe halves
- Add toppings of your choice!
Coconut whipped cream, farm-fresh produce, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, raw honey all make great additions!
Bonus tip: Try it as a breakfast treat and fill it with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit!
It may already feel like summer here in sunny SWFL, but Farmer Joe’s is still stocking up on the best farm-fresh produce that spring has to offer. Blueberries, papaya, strawberries, and tangerines are among the local seasonal offerings in our produce department. Try out new combinations of sweet and savory by adding fruit to your salsas and dips! Give your mornings a boost by adding fresh local fruit to your smoothies or granola bowls. Let us know what you create!