Honeydew melon

Honeydews are large, pale green melons with sweet, very juicy, light green flesh. They are used in the pastry kitchen in fruit salads and to make sorbet. Honeydews are shipped when they are hard (unripe), then usually preripened before being sold. If the melon is very hard, leave it at room temperature for up to four days, until it starts to soften slightly at the stem and bottom ends. While the flesh will become softer and juicier, it will not become any sweeter. Avoid honeydews that have a whitish tinge to the skin; they usually never ripen fully. Honeydews are available throughout the year. Ripe and/or cut melons should be refrigerated and used within two days.