Can You Freeze Cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe melon is a delicious, tropical fruit that is perfect for eating fresh, popping into smoothies, or adding extra flavor to a meal.

Just like other melons, the juicy flesh is contained inside a thick rind. When you cut into the rind, you are greeted by a bright orange beauty. The flavor of this melon is sweet and fresh, one that cannot be resisted!

You may be wondering, but are you able to freeze this delightful melon? The short answer is yes! You can freeze your cantaloupe melon in several ways.

In fact, we think that freezing this melon is exactly what you need to do to prolong its shelf life and make an unbeatable smoothie.

The reason we think this is because the cantaloupe melon is full of antioxidants and fiber.

Why does that make for a good smoothie addition or snack?

Well, vitamins A and C promote a brighter and clearer skin complexion whilst also boosting your immune system. The fiber in the fruit also helps you stay fuller for longer.

The cantaloupe consists of 95% water and has no fat or cholesterol in sight so it makes the perfect snack for healthy eating and weight loss.

How to freeze Cantaloupe

There are two main ways to freeze cantaloupe melon. We are going to start off by telling you the best way to freeze this fruit in chunks.

Firstly, you will want to cut into the melon’s rind. We recommend slicing into four parts and then carefully following the curve of the melon’s rind with your knife. This removes the rind and leaves you with the edible part of the fruit. 

Once you have done this, it is also advisable to remove the seeds from the melon. You can either do this with the same knife or scoop them out with a spoon. It’s really up to you! We sometimes recommend using a spoon as the melon can get quite juicy and slippery. 

Then you should be left with the flesh of the cantaloupe. We like to cut the cantaloupe into bite-sized chunks and then place them into either airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.

As always you should write the date you are placing your cantaloupe into the freezer onto the packages so you know when they are good to eat.

The alternative way to freeze cantaloupe melon is to first make it into a puree. This method is recommended if you plan to make smoothies or other drinks with your cantaloupe.

Like above, you want to follow the steps until you are left with chunks of the cantaloupe’s deliciousness. Next, you will want to follow this by adding the chunks into a blender. 

Once you have got your desired consistency, stop the blender and pour the pureed cantaloupe into an ice tray. This helps to separate the liquid into individual pieces rather than one large frozen mess of cantaloupe puree.

After waiting for the cantaloupe to fully freeze, this is usually two to three hours, you can take the ice tray out of the freezer. Snap the ice tray to release the frozen puree cubes and place into a resealable plastic bag.

Then you will be able to reach into the freezer for the perfect portion of cantaloupe puree for your smoothies. Like us, are you craving a fruit smoothie now?

How to defrost Cantaloupe

Moving on to when it comes to defrosting your cantaloupe there are two things to consider. Do you plan on using the melon in a smoothie or are you eating it as it is?

If you are using the cantaloupe for a smoothie, it is a good idea to add it straight into your blender whilst it is frozen. Not only does this preserve the taste of your cantaloupe but it also works as ice would in your blender. A cool smoothie is a happy smoothie.

If you’re not planning on using your cantaloupe for a smoothie and plan on eating it raw, it is best to thaw before consuming. The best way to do this is to place the portion of cantaloupe onto a dish and place it into the fridge for six to eight hours.

We recommend defrosting in the fridge so you don’t lose any of the flavor, color, and texture. Defrosting at room temperature almost spoils everything we love about the cantaloupe melon, so avoid that by all means.

Things to consider when freezing cantaloupe

Cantaloupe melon can also be added to several dishes to add a more sweet flavor to the recipe. If you plan on doing this, you do not need to defrost your cantaloupe before adding to the dish.

Simply remove the cantaloupe chunks or puree from your freezer and add to your pan. When you add the frozen cantaloupe melon to your pan, it will instantly begin to melt and will add a little something extra to your dish. If you’re feeling experimental, feel free to try this out!

We recommend eating your frozen cantaloupe within one year of freezing. If you eat it any later than this timeframe, you risk the cantaloupe losing its fresh taste. It is also a good idea to eat your cantaloupe as soon as possible after it is fully thawed.

If you leave it too long, the cantaloupe can become soggy and lose the great texture it had before.

Summary

To wrap things up, let’s just repeat some of the most important things when freezing cantaloupe.

Firstly, you need to decide what you are going to use your cantaloupe for. If you are using it for a smoothie, it is a good idea to blend it into a puree before freezing. If you plan on eating it in chunks, you can easily portion your cantaloupe and freeze in resealable bags. 

To keep the taste and texture, it is best to use straight away from frozen when using in smoothies or recipes. If you are planning to eat raw, always aim to defrost in the refrigerator to avoid spoiling the melon.

Now, it’s definitely time for a fruit smoothie, go and enjoy it!