Spring into summer is the perfect time for getting the family together and getting outside. What better snack for a large group than some fresh fruit! If your family and friends are anything like mine, you love a good, juicy watermelon or pineapple to eat while hanging out.
May is the start of melon season. From cantaloupe to honeydew, there are many different kinds of melons that can satisfy a large gathering of people. Some things to note when cutting up cantaloupe or honeydew: try pressing your finger against the stem end. If it gives slightly, then your melon is ready to be cut! The same end should also have a sweet aroma which tells you that the fruit is ripe enough to be cut.
As one of the most popular fruits in the US, the watermelon is another notable melon that comes into season in May. Watermelons are 92% water, so they are a great snack that will also keep you hydrated! You can usually tell a watermelon is ready to be cut when the outside turns from a dark green into a more buttery yellow color. You may also notice that some watermelons on the vine appear to be shiny or glossy. You’ll know your watermelon is ripe when it loses its sheen.
Another popular fruit that requires cutting – and one of my personal favorites – is the pineapple! Pineapple is a great addition to salads, sandwiches, or pizza (if you’re one of those people), but eating fresh pineapple is just as satisfying! You will know your pineapple is ripe and ready to be cut when it becomes more yellow. Pineapples will go from green to a grayish color then yellow in their final stage of ripeness.
It can feel like a guessing game when it comes to cutting fruit, but when you hit the jackpot, fresh fruit is always a huge hit for family and friend gatherings or just to have as a quick snack in the fridge! Try out these tips and tricks the next time you buy fruit for the family, and save money by not buying the pre-cut ones, fresh tastes better anyway!