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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Grower
The Ananas melon has an oval shape and on average weighs between 3 and 5 lbs. Its exterior is covered in a yellow to tan skin with a sandy hued netting that becomes increasingly pronounced as the melon reaches its peak of ripeness. Depending upon variety, its interior flesh can vary from a creamy shade of white or green to pale orange in color. The flesh is juicy and crisp and surrounds a narrow seed cavity. When ripe and at room temperature the Ananas melon will have a sweet melon flavor and scent laced with nuances of pineapple.
The Ananas melon is available summer through the early fall.
A member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the Ananas melon is botanically classified as Cucumis melo in the Reticulatus Group which includes muskmelons and cantaloupe. It is an heirloom variety of muskmelon and is also known as Sharlyn melon, Pineapple melon, Israeli or Middle Eastern melon, and in France as Ananas D’Amerique a Chair Verte. In Italian and French the word “ananas” translates to mean “pineapple”, a nod to the sweet flavor and scent of the melon which is reminiscent of the tropical fruit. As a result of its short shelf life the Ananas melon has never achieved success commercially, but remains a sought after seasonal treasure at farmer’s markets.
Like most varieties of muskmelon, the Ananas melon provides a good supply of beta-carotene, folate, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, vitamins A, C and K, and dietary fiber.
The Ananas melon is ideally used in raw preparations, and is appropriate for both sweet and savory dishes. The flesh may be blended into a puree that is excellent in smoothies, chilled soups, desserts, punch and alcoholic beverages. Add slices of the melon to salads, both fruit and green or serve alongside robust cheeses to balance out their sweet flavor. Ananas melons pair well with cucumber, ginger, grape, watermelon, mint, strawberry, citrus, tequila and prosciutto. To store, keep whole melons at room temperature. Refrigerate cut melon up to three days.
The Ananas melon was used as part of a DNA study done in 2009 at Texas A&M. The study was conducted to map the melon gnome and hundreds of DNA markers. Using this map plant breeders hope to produce new melon varieties that are sweeter, disease resistant and drought tolerant.
The Ananas melon is believed to be native to Africa. From Africa it made its way to France in 1777. Thomas Jefferson grew Ananas melons at his estate, Monticello in 1794. The Ananas melon was first featured in American seed catalogues in 1824 and was noted in M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux’s famous book "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885. Today it is one of the more popular heirloom varieties of melon grown in the United States. The Ananas melon may also befound throughout the Middle East. Ananas melons grow on large, vigorous vines that can spread out over the ground or trellised vertically. Like many muskmelon varieties the Ananas melon is known to full or partial slip from its vine once ripe and ready for harvest.
Recipes that include Ananas Melon. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
People have shared Ananas Melon using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Munak Ranch |
Description/Taste
The Ananas melon has an oval shape and on average weighs between 3 and 5 lbs. Its exterior is covered in a yellow to tan skin with a sandy hued netting that becomes increasingly pronounced as the melon reaches its peak of ripeness. Depending upon variety, its interior flesh can vary from a creamy shade of white or green to pale orange in color. The flesh is juicy and crisp and surrounds a narrow seed cavity. When ripe and at room temperature the Ananas melon will have a sweet melon flavor and scent laced with nuances of pineapple.
Seasons/Availability
The Ananas melon is available summer through the early fall.
Current Facts
A member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the Ananas melon is botanically classified as Cucumis melo in the Reticulatus Group which includes muskmelons and cantaloupe. It is an heirloom variety of muskmelon and is also known as Sharlyn melon, Pineapple melon, Israeli or Middle Eastern melon, and in France as Ananas D’Amerique a Chair Verte. In Italian and French the word “ananas” translates to mean “pineapple”, a nod to the sweet flavor and scent of the melon which is reminiscent of the tropical fruit. As a result of its short shelf life the Ananas melon has never achieved success commercially, but remains a sought after seasonal treasure at farmer’s markets.
Nutritional Value
Like most varieties of muskmelon, the Ananas melon provides a good supply of beta-carotene, folate, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, vitamins A, C and K, and dietary fiber.
Applications
The Ananas melon is ideally used in raw preparations, and is appropriate for both sweet and savory dishes. The flesh may be blended into a puree that is excellent in smoothies, chilled soups, desserts, punch and alcoholic beverages. Add slices of the melon to salads, both fruit and green or serve alongside robust cheeses to balance out their sweet flavor. Ananas melons pair well with cucumber, ginger, grape, watermelon, mint, strawberry, citrus, tequila and prosciutto. To store, keep whole melons at room temperature. Refrigerate cut melon up to three days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Ananas melon was used as part of a DNA study done in 2009 at Texas A&M. The study was conducted to map the melon gnome and hundreds of DNA markers. Using this map plant breeders hope to produce new melon varieties that are sweeter, disease resistant and drought tolerant.
Geography/History
The Ananas melon is believed to be native to Africa. From Africa it made its way to France in 1777. Thomas Jefferson grew Ananas melons at his estate, Monticello in 1794. The Ananas melon was first featured in American seed catalogues in 1824 and was noted in M.M. Vilmorin-Andrieux’s famous book "The Vegetable Garden" in 1885. Today it is one of the more popular heirloom varieties of melon grown in the United States. The Ananas melon may also befound throughout the Middle East. Ananas melons grow on large, vigorous vines that can spread out over the ground or trellised vertically. Like many muskmelon varieties the Ananas melon is known to full or partial slip from its vine once ripe and ready for harvest.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Ananas Melon. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Cook Niche |
|
Ananas Melon & Champagne Soup |
| Cupcakes + Kale |
|
Melon Salad with Maple |
Recently Shared
People have shared Ananas Melon using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Santa Monica Farmers Markets
Specialty
Near Santa Monica, California, United States619-295-3172 About 241 days ago, 7/31/19 Sharer's comments : Munak Ranch bringing the first Ananas Melons! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Specialty
Near Santa Monica, California, United States619-295-3172 About 269 days ago, 7/03/19 Sharer's comments : Ananas Melons will be full swing next week from Munak Ranch! Summer is here people. |
