How to Cut up a Canteloupe

Here's another, hopefully useful, "how to" on fruit preparation.  While working in a dining hall prep kitchen in college, I cut up boxes and boxes of cantaloupe.  Oh the fun jobs we have in college, right?   However, I generally didn't mind this job (way better than chopping onions!) because I really like cantaloupe and could sneak a few pieces here and there while working!  While it's not as difficult to cut up compared to my earlier "how to" on pineapple, I thought some might find this tutorial helpful.

 

                                 

 

Step one: Place cantaloupe on cutting board and get a medium sized, sharp knife.  Cut the cantaloupe in half from root to tip.

 

                            

                                  

 With a spoon, scrape out the seeds and discard.  

 

 

Lay the cantaloupe halves upside down on the cutting board.  Take one half at a time.  Cut each half in half.  Then, at an angle, make two more cuts on each side of the cantaloupe half.  Cutting from outer skin towards the center of the cantaloupe.  Repeat with second cantaloupe half.  You should know have 6 slices from each half.





With a small paring knife. take each cantaloupe slice in one hand and slice with the paring knife between the rind and fruit, making sure not to leave any green rind remaining (it doesn't taste very good!). 

You should now have 12 cantaloupe slices, without rind.

 

With your paring knife, cute each slice into bite-sized pieces.  That's all there is to it!  The more you do, the better you'll get and the quicker you'll get.

 

xoxo Melissa