Food Shopping and Storing Food Shopping & Storing How to Pick a Cantaloupe (Plus How to Use One) The juicy melon has more to offer than just rounding out a fruit salad. Learn how to pick a ripe cantaloupe—plus get tips for storing one, using one, and more. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 11, 2023 Fact checked by Emily Peterson Fact checked by Emily Peterson Emily Peterson is an experienced fact-checker and editor with Bachelor's degrees in English Literature and French. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article How to Pick How to Store How to Slice and Cube 5 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Cantaloupe Few tastes are sweeter than that of a good cantaloupe—but picking that ripe cantaloupe from the bin or pile at the store is easier said than done. Fortunately, you can avoid the disappointment of a less-than-delicious melon with our guide to picking, storing, and using cantaloupe. How to Pick The best way to pick a cantaloupe is by smell. The fruit should have a sweet, slightly musky scent. A good cantaloupe feels heavy for its size, has a rind that resembles raised netting, and has a stem end that yields slightly when pressed with your thumb. How to Pick Watermelon How to Store Let a not-quite-ready cantaloupe ripen at room temperature for up to two days (keeping it in a closed paper bag will speed up the process). Refrigerate a whole ripe melon for up to five days. For cut wedges of cantaloupe, cover the surfaces and refrigerate for up to three days. (If possible, leave the seeds intact. They prevent the flesh from drying out.) Cubes without the seeds will last one to two days in a resealable container in the refrigerator. Getty Images How to Slice and Cube Wash the rind, then slice off the bottom and top ends of the melon so that it sits squarely on a cutting board. With a knife, from top to bottom, cut away strips of the rind, following the shape of the fruit. Halve the fruit, scoop out the seeds, and slice or cube as desired. How to Pick Produce 5 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Cantaloupe Cantaloupe Caprese Salad: Arrange sliced cantaloupe and tomatoes on a platter. Top with halved bocconcini (small balls of fresh mozzarella). Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chopped mint, salt, and pepper.Crackers with Cantaloupe, Ricotta, and Ham: Top rye crackers with ricotta, sliced cantaloupe, sliced ham, salt, and pepper.Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Sesame Seeds: Toss cut-up cantaloupe, sliced cucumbers, and sliced red onion with canola oil, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and pepper.Cantaloupe and Mint Slushy: In a blender, puree cut-up cantaloupe with lemon-lime soda, mint, and ice.Gingery Cantaloupe and Raspberry Parfaits: Bring ½ cup water, ½ cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger just to a boil; remove from heat and let cool. Drizzle over raspberry sorbet and cut-up cantaloupe. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit