Pecos Cantaloupes

Has any one other than my self discovered the awesome Pecos Cantaloupes in the grocer's veggie market? The loupes in our local markets are right on in freshness and taste. Cantaloupes have approximately 54 calories per cup. So one can consume 1/2 cup @ 27 calories. I just cut off one thin bite after another, savor in my mouth and repeat the process until the cantaloupe is gone. I find that 2 thin slices suffice for my pouch size. Due to the water content in the loupe, just like water melon, I find that I can consume the 2 slices quite comfortably and it sits so well in my pouch. I know that there will be those out there that see the consumption of Pecos Cantaloupe as wasted calories as it doesn't provide any protien content. Well neither does sugar free popsicles and I will take my Pecos Cantaloupes over man's flavored water any ol' day. Another good combination is 1 slice of Pecos Cantaloupe with 1/4 cup of lowfat cottage cheese. Now you have a real flavorful meal with approximately 7 grams of protien. Awesome Baby! Ron

HEY! That sounds interesting. I've been wanting to make my own "popsicles" and this reminds of an old Martha Stewart recipe I threw away years ago. Of course, she made them with wine and cantaloupes, melons, and such... but .... add a little something else instead of wine and that sounds promising. Hmmm ... While we're on the subject Cantaloupe Soup Recipe provided by Jason of Adventures of a Foodie 1/2 cup orange juice 1 medium cantaloupe, cut into 1" pieces 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt 2 tablespoons sugar (optional if cantaloupe isn't sweet) Mint for garnish 1. Puree orange juice and cantaloupe until smooth, about 20-25 seconds. 2. Add yogurt and sugar and puree until smooth, about 15 seconds. 3. Served chilled. ... ... or This recipe is from an article in New York Times about Bernard Loiseau, "a three-star [French] chef, [who] avoids butter, cream and eggs, and uses vegetable purees to thicken sauces." If you have fresh tarragon in your garden, give it a try.. Cold Melon Soup (total time: 15 minutes) 2 ripe cantaloupes, about 2 pounds each 1/4 cup dry sherry Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 6 springs fresh tarragon 1. Split melons in half, root end down. Put juice and seed in a find sieve set over a bowl. There should be about 1/3 cup of juice. Set aside. 2. Using a melon-ball scoop, cut out 12 balls from each melon half. Set aside. Using a large spoon, remove remaining flesh, and place it in the container of a blender. Add reserved juice and dry sherry. Puree until very fine. Place mixture in a bowl, and season with salt and pepper to taste. 3. To serve, stack 12 melon balls in the center of each of four soup plates, forming a pyramid. Divide soup evenly around melon balls. Place a sprig of tarragon on top. Chop remaining tarragon, and sprinkle around edges of soup. Yield: 4 servings Approximate nutritional analysis per serving: 165 calories, 0 grams fat and cholesterol, 90 milligrams sodium (before salting), 4 grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrate. or ... ... Try a Thai Three Melon soup... http://www.culinarycafe.com/Soups-Stews/Thai_Three-Melon_Soup.html

Some great recipes you have provided, indeed. You really know the value of a cantaloupe. Thanks for Sharing, Ron

Hi Ron, I've never heard of these. I love Indiana Hardshell cantaloupes. Have you ever had them? If so, are they similar? My surgeon says no fruit until I reach my goal weight, but I sure am missing my cantaloupes and bananas! Rada -45 lbs.

Rada, You should follow your Doc's order, absolutely. I only authored this post as I have an interesting knack for trying to break up so much of the sad/anxious stuff on the board. It is surprising to me how I have made a place in my heart for the OH Family. In a ironic way the only sadness that has accompanied my heart throughout the whole WLS process is the tough experiences shared on this board. My gift/burden has always been a heart felt compassion for my fellow man/woman. I create these type of posts to lighten the load a little. The reason your Doc probably wants to limit your consumption of fruit is due to fructose. A natural sugar that can when eaten in high quantities impede weight loss. I know this because my Dietician reduced my consumption of fruits on my pre-surgery diet. I think your 45 pound weight loss is great. Your WLS Brother, Ron

Ron, here you are right after major surgery and thinking about how to lighten the load of others!! I think that is great! I guess when we talk about our hurts and illnesses due to our weight the conversations can get pretty "heavy" and depressing. One of my all time favorite posts was by Tooter - it asked what we remembered our first car. That really brought back happy memories for me and I'm sure it helped others also! God bless through your journey and take care! Rada

I LOVE cantaloupe! I love it diced into cottage cheese, frozen into balls and having it with just a small smidge of cream or half and half over it (yeah I know, empty calories - but danggggg lol it's good - and relatively low-sugar. Better than ice cream for me ). Cantaloupe is loaded with good things for you. Not everything that we eat has to be protein. Geez, I'd die if that's all I could eat. I love my veggies and fruits!

Cantaloupe sounds so good right now! I am allowed to start having melon on Wednesday, and I am going for it! : ) Colleen

Baby, It is worth the weight, sorry wait. Ron P.S. I love Seattle!

I planted cantaloupe this year and am hoping by the time they are ready I can eat them. I can almost taste them now. Indiana cantaloupe is the best I have ever eaten. Oh, now I am hungry for them Luci