TORONTO, July 18,
2024 /CNW/ -- The sweet and succulent flesh of melons
make them one of the most popular fruits in summer. Not only are
they delicious but they are also packed with vitamins A and C and
mineral salts.
But there is so much more to discover about this versatile
and much-loved fruit, beyond its use in delicious smoothies, fresh
fruit skewers, salads and ice lollies. "I love fruit
& veg from Europe", the
campaign aimed at promoting the consumption of fresh and
seasonal fruit and vegetables in several countries, including
Canada, is co-financed by
the European Union. It is managed by a group of Italian
agricultural producers, Agritalia, A.O.A., La Deliziosa,
Meridia and Terra Orti, who want to
help you find out more.
Melons have a long history and are believed to have first
been cultivated around 4,000 years ago, in an area that includes
modern-day Iran, India and Africa. They were highly prized by the ancient
Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for their sweetness and
juiciness.
There are several fascinating tales connected with melons. It is
said that in ancient times, in some cultures, the melon was
considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity and used in
offerings to the gods. In present-day Japan, melons are carefully cultivated to
obtain perfect fruits, which are given as gifts on important
occasions such as weddings and birthdays, and sometimes sold for
astronomical prices as they are considered real gastronomic
"treasures".
Melons are extremely versatile and lend themselves to both
sweet and savoury dishes. Here is a creative and tasty idea to make
your summer even sweeter.
Melon Gazpacho
Ingredients for 4
- 1 ripe melon, de-seeded and peeled
- 2 ripe tomatoes, de-seeded
- 1 cucumber, peeled
- 1 green pepper, de-seeded
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh mint leaves to garnish
Method
- Cut the melon, tomatoes, cucumber, pepper and onion into large
chunks.
- Blend all the ingredients together to form a smooth creamy
soup.
- Add the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and stir
well.
- Chill the gazpacho for at least an hour before serving.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve.
Celebrate the summer with this
precious, juicy fruit!
Enjoy. It's from Europe!
Discover more recipes at: www.ilovefruitandvegfromeurope.ca
SOURCE I Love Fruit & Veg from Europe