It's Melon Time!

You may not have time to carve a watermelon into a hedgehog or etch hearts into the rind, but there is always time to carve a big slice of sweet melon for a refreshing summertime snack or healthy side for breakfast or lunch.

Cantaloupes, honeydews, and watermelons are packed with nutrition for children's growing bodies. According to the Mayo Clinic, melons are high in fiber and packed with potassium as well as Vitamins C and B6. Also, because melons have such a high water content and contain potassium, they are an excellent choice to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Picking the Perfect Melon:

Donnie Beggs is a fourth-generation watermelon farmer from Scott County. His family has been growing watermelons in southeastern Missouri for 125 years. Mr. Beggs provides the following tips for picking the perfect melon:

• Look for the watermelon's two stripes. As melons mature, the lighter stripe will get even lighter.
• Mature melons will also go from having a shiny appearance to rougher and dull.
• The lower half of the watermelon will change from a light color to a yellow as it sits on the ground. A watermelon's yellow belly is a sign it has ripened in the field and not in the grocery store.

For other melons:

• The melon should feel firm with no evident bruising.
• It should be heavy for its size.
• Thump on it. If it produces a muffled, hollow sound, it is ripe.

• Uncut melons can be stored at room temperature.
• Before cutting, melons should be washed under water while gently scrubbing the exterior with a brush to remove soil or contamination.
• Once they are cut, you should store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

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