Cuisinart & Family
August 6, 2007 |
A tasty sweet summer treat, melons have many nutritive qualities and are
a great early food to introduce to young eaters. Babies around eight months can
try melon pureed in your Cuisinart
PowerBlend
Duetâ„¢ Blender/Food Processor, or, if your baby is ready for finger
foods, you can try serving melon cut into small, ripe pieces.
Cantaloupe
Packed with vitamins A and C, cantaloupe is also loaded with
beta-carotene, which is great for vision development.
Watermelon
Watermelon contains a healthy dose of vitamin C and lycopene, which
many studies show helps to protect against a wide range of cancers.
How to Choose a Melon
Watermelon and honeydew should have a bright clear rind that is completely
smooth on the outside, without discolorations or bruises.
One part of the watermelon rind should be cream or yellow to show where
it laid on the ground during ripening - kind of like a tan line. If it's too
even in color, the watermelon may have been picked too early and won't be ripe
enough to taste great.
Cantaloupes should have a yellowish or cream-colored rind. You can easily
tell a ripe cantaloupe by smelling its sweet, distinctive scent through the
rind. Pass on cantaloupes with a pungent or overbearing smell, which indicates
that it's overripe.
Baby Melon
Erin Patterson of Small Bites,
a company that teaches parents how
to make healthy, safe and sustainable food choices, recommends pureeing these great
melon-centric food combinations:
· Cantaloupe and Carrot
· Cantaloupe and Avocado
· Cantaloupe and Meat (like chicken or ground
beef or turkey)
· Any Melon with Banana
· Any Melon with Peach
· Any Melon with Blueberry
· Any Melon with Plain Yogurt
Make sure you carefully contain and seal your homemade baby food and
throw it out after a day or two to avoid bacterial contamination.
Enjoy!
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