To cube cantaloupe is to cut the edible portion of the melon into squarish or rectangular chunks. Cutting the melon into cubes makes it easier to blend the chunks of melon or to pack them away for freezing. Unless you do further trimming, the cubes won't look like perfect geometric cubes, but someone will probably eat them before anyone has a chance to complain.
Step 1
Wash the cantaloupe under running water, scrubbing the rind with a vegetable brush. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with toweling, getting as much of the water out of the rough rind as possible. Cantaloupe has been a carrier for salmonella in the past, leading to food poisoning outbreaks when the bacteria was pushed into the melon meat by the knife. Ensure your hands and all surfaces are clean and wash them again after you are done cutting up the melon.
Step 2
Place the cantaloupe on the cutting board and hold it steady with one hand.
Step 3
Slice off the ends of the cantaloupe. Discard the ends. Rinse off the knife.
Step 4
Place the cantaloupe on one of the now-flat ends. This keeps it steady while you cut into it further.
Step 5
Slice the cantaloupe in half from end to end. Rinse off the knife again.
Step 6
Scoop out all the seeds and loose pulp with a spoon. Discard those.
Step 7
Slice each half into halves themselves, lengthwise, and rinse the knife again.
Step 8
Put one of the cantaloupe quarters on its rind side on the cutting board. Place the knife blade right where the orange cantaloupe flesh starts turning into the greenish rind and begin slicing sideways. Watch your fingers. If the melon is soft, the knife can cut through it fairly quickly.
Step 9
Repeat Step 8 for all of the quarters.
Step 10
Chop each strip of melon flesh into squares. The size is up to you and the recipe you want to make; smaller squares are easier to blend. You can also cut each quarter lengthwise again before cubing for smaller cubes. Place the cubes in a separate bowl, or if you're not going to eat or use them immediately, put them in a food storage container in the refrigerator.
Things You'll Need
- Vegetable brush
- Toweling
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Spoon
- Large bowl or food storage container
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