I have cut melons like this and it is very efficient and easy. Saw it once on TV. I also have been known to wash well a honeydew or canary melon ( they are similar) and cut it in half. scoop out the seeds Then put it cut side down on the cutting board and slice it thinly, then cut the slices in half down the middle and scoot it off onto a platter. You wind up with thin quarter slices that can be held by the rind and eaten as finger food by kids picnicking outside like at the park. It was very well received at the reunion.
Jessica Fisher
Thanks, Alice.
Misty
Great tip for all! I would also like to add you should add some Tajin (Mexican spice) to those melons for extra punch. WARNING: Highly addictive!
Jessica Fisher
I’ve heard of doing that, but never tried it. Thanks for the nudge.
Shari
This is so enabling! Thank you.
Jessica Fisher
Glad it’s helpful!
Kathleen
YES! This is how I cut all melon, including watermelon. I have gotten many strange looks and comments on how I do it, but for me, this is MUCH faster and less waste at the table.
Jessica Fisher
Strange looks? This is what makes sense! 😉
Janet
My challenge is squash. As I have gotten older, even with a sharp knife I just cannot cut through the rind. Unlike some squashes, my favorite spaghetti squash is not sold already cut in half in any of my area grocery stores.
Jenny
You could probably bake it, that would cook it and the rind would peel right off. 🙂 I love the butternut squash.
Kathleen
Janet, I injured my shoulder so badly (healed now) that I couldn’t cut spaghetti squash either. My first solution was one of the several teen boys in our home cutting it for me. Since that may not apply to you, I suggest my second solution, which is to wash it, then roast it. Whole. Uncut/unpoked. About 60-90 minutes in the oven at 350, until a fork easily pierces the rind. Allow to cool enough to handle and you can use a table knife to cut in half. Scoop out the seeds just like you normally would, then the yummy flesh. We often roast an oven full at a time and freeze in bags for eating later.
Janet
Thanks Kathleen! It never occurred to me to try and roast it whole. I will be trying this out for sure. It is one of the few vegetables my husband and kids will happily eat as long as you put a good marinara sauce over it.
Hi Janet,
I also LOVE squash! I poke several holes around the outside of the squash with a fork, then I place it in the microwave for 4-5 mins on high. Be careful taking it out of the microwave… IT’S HOT! Then I peel the skin with a peeler and cut it up the way I want it that day! This is SO much easier!
I hope this helps!
Beth
Regina Ulmer
Thank you so much for this! I don’t know why I’ve never seen anyone do it this way before; it makes total sense. I’ve always been afraid to use that great big knife on a wobbly melon. This totally eliminates that problem! So makes me want to stop by one of those roadside watermelon stands now 🙂
Alice E
I have cut melons like this and it is very efficient and easy. Saw it once on TV. I also have been known to wash well a honeydew or canary melon ( they are similar) and cut it in half. scoop out the seeds Then put it cut side down on the cutting board and slice it thinly, then cut the slices in half down the middle and scoot it off onto a platter. You wind up with thin quarter slices that can be held by the rind and eaten as finger food by kids picnicking outside like at the park. It was very well received at the reunion.
Jessica Fisher
Thanks, Alice.
Misty
Great tip for all! I would also like to add you should add some Tajin (Mexican spice) to those melons for extra punch. WARNING: Highly addictive!
Jessica Fisher
I’ve heard of doing that, but never tried it. Thanks for the nudge.
Shari
This is so enabling! Thank you.
Jessica Fisher
Glad it’s helpful!
Kathleen
YES! This is how I cut all melon, including watermelon. I have gotten many strange looks and comments on how I do it, but for me, this is MUCH faster and less waste at the table.
Jessica Fisher
Strange looks? This is what makes sense! 😉
Janet
My challenge is squash. As I have gotten older, even with a sharp knife I just cannot cut through the rind. Unlike some squashes, my favorite spaghetti squash is not sold already cut in half in any of my area grocery stores.
Jenny
You could probably bake it, that would cook it and the rind would peel right off. 🙂 I love the butternut squash.
Kathleen
Janet, I injured my shoulder so badly (healed now) that I couldn’t cut spaghetti squash either. My first solution was one of the several teen boys in our home cutting it for me. Since that may not apply to you, I suggest my second solution, which is to wash it, then roast it. Whole. Uncut/unpoked. About 60-90 minutes in the oven at 350, until a fork easily pierces the rind. Allow to cool enough to handle and you can use a table knife to cut in half. Scoop out the seeds just like you normally would, then the yummy flesh. We often roast an oven full at a time and freeze in bags for eating later.
Janet
Thanks Kathleen! It never occurred to me to try and roast it whole. I will be trying this out for sure. It is one of the few vegetables my husband and kids will happily eat as long as you put a good marinara sauce over it.
Jessica Fisher
I microwave it for a few minutes and it slices like butter. Directions here: https://goodcheapeats.com/2015/08/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash/
Beth D
Hi Janet,
I also LOVE squash! I poke several holes around the outside of the squash with a fork, then I place it in the microwave for 4-5 mins on high. Be careful taking it out of the microwave… IT’S HOT! Then I peel the skin with a peeler and cut it up the way I want it that day! This is SO much easier!
I hope this helps!
Beth
Regina Ulmer
Thank you so much for this! I don’t know why I’ve never seen anyone do it this way before; it makes total sense. I’ve always been afraid to use that great big knife on a wobbly melon. This totally eliminates that problem! So makes me want to stop by one of those roadside watermelon stands now 🙂
Jessica Fisher
Yes! You can do this!