My garden cantaloupe are abundant this year – what a great celebration! Cantaloupe are as healthy as they are delicious, low in calories yet full of Vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber. Alas, fresh cantaloupe don’t store well. What’s a gardener to do?
Dry them.
Yes, dry them! I tried dehydrating a single melon as an experiment, and it was so fantastic – brightly colored, candy sweet, and naturally preserved for long term storage – that I kept the dehydrator running for days, making batch after batch of these awesome treats.
How do I dry cantaloupe, you ask?
Slice a fresh cantaloupe into 1/4 inch thick slices, right through the thin rind. Use a paring knife to trace a circle just inside the rind. Discard rind. Trace a small circle around the seeds in the center, and discard the center. Alternatively, you can cut the whole cantaloupe in half, scoop out the seeds, and then cut slices from each half. It’s up to you.
Arrange slices in a food dehydrator and dry at 130 degrees for 22 hours. Store in freezer bags or other airtight containers.
Enjoy!
Crowded Earth Kitchen 