4/07/2008: A perfectly ripe cantaloupe will have a sweet, fresh fragrance. It should feel heavy for its size and give slightly at both ends when gently pressed. If the cantaloupe is soft, yellowing or feels wet at the stem end, pass it by. To ripen a hard cantaloupe, store it in a warm place for several days, away from sunlight. Once it is ripe, refrigerate and use within a week. For a melon basket, use a nontoxic marker to draw zigzag pattern on melon. Cut deeply into fruit along pattern, separate halves, seed, and fill with fruit.

Baked Kohlrabi - quarter unpeeled kohlrabi. Season with butter and mace, warp in aluminum foil and bake at 350ºF. until tender, about 20 minutes.

Browned rice: Spread 1 cup of rice in shallow pan, brown at 350ºF. for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine 1 can of condensed consommé and 1 can of water, bring to  boil: add rice and cook until tender: Drain. Makes 3 cups

Butternut Squash w/ Parmesan  - Cut squash in serving pieces and scoop out seeds and stringy part. Leave rind on. Parboil 15 minutes in boiling salted  water. Remove, drain thoroughly. Season well with salt and pepper, dot with butter, sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375ºF.  for 15 - 20 minutes or until done.

Last Updated 02/04/2010