FoodFood InformationFruitMelons
The Green Tendral, also known as the Elche Honeydew or the Spanish melon,
is shaped somewhat like a football and has a dark green, ridged skin and
a cream-colored flesh. It has a very hard shell even when ripe. The best
ones are grown in Spain and usually arrive in December. They are available
for two to three months at a time when there are few melons in the market
and they are usually quite costly.
Green Tendrals are also grown on a limited scale in California and Chile,
but neither area produces melons that are as flavorful as the ones from
Spain, which, when ripe, can be very tasty. However, identifying one that
is ripe is most difficult. If it has the same slight give at the blossom
end that identifies a ripe honeydew or a crenshaw, the Spanish melon is
probably overripe and will eat mushy. Your best bet is to buy one that is
firm at the blossom end and hope for the best.
Deamer 5/97