Quick Appetizers – with Melons

Melons make great appetizers, and take little preparation.
So here’s some really simple appetizer ideas that you might like to try.

Melon on toothpicks
To make you will need
1 cantaloupe melon
1 charantais melon, or a melon or watermelon of your choice
Melon baller
Toothpicks (cocktail sticks)

How to
First cut the melons in half, and discard the seeds.  Then, using a melon baller, scoop out as much of the flesh as you reasonably can.  Now simply thread one or two melon balls onto a toothpick – repeat until you have as many appetizers as you need.  Serve chilled.

Here’s a couple of variations on this easy party food idea
*  Halve a cantaloupe melon, and scoop out the seeds.  Next cut each half into 6 wedges.  Remove the peel.  Then cut the melon wedges into bite-size chunks.  Now, wrap a thin strip of Parma ham around each melon chunk, and secure with a toothpick.

*  Halve a charantais melon.  Then remove the pips and fibers.  Now cut the melon into slices.  Remove the skin, then cut the flesh of the melon into bite-size cubes.  Next wrap each melon cube in smoked salmon and pierce with a toothpick.

Incidentally, sprigs of mint, lemon wedges, arugula (rocket) leaves, or black olives, make a nice decoration for a melon ball, a melon chunk and Parma ham, or a charantais melon cube wrapped in smoked salmon, platter.

Cooks tip
You can often find charantais melons in supermarkets or at farmers’ markets.  Charantais melons are small melons, with a pale green to cream skin.  They have deep orange colored flesh.  And they’re just perfect for making easy hors d’oeuvres.