Once upon a time, the Montreal melon

Cinzia Cuneo 6 settembre, 2009 mangiare locale, frutta

By the end of the 19th century and until the 1930s, Quebec was well-known for it’s Montreal melon which was sold at a hefty price in all North-Eastern USA, and found only in the finest restaurants.

The Montreal melon was notably large (approximately 6 kg) with pale green flesh and a spicy nutmeg taste. It was typically grown on the South side of Mont-Royal where it would benefit from fertile grounds and good sunlight.

Unfortunately, urban development in the 1950s, which transformed these fields into residential zones, as well as the competition from other melons that were easier to grow, eventually led to the disappearance of the Montreal melon in our markets. In the past few years, amateur gardeners have started to grow it again in a community garden in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, but production has proven to be far too small for all to enjoy.

Be that as it may, I encourage you to take advantage of the local production of melons which is at its highest peak in the season. In addition to the classic Prosciutto and Melon, try this week’s Shrimp and Melon Salad à la Thai. Bon appétit!

Shrimp and Melon Salad à la Thai

Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on September 5, 2009.

Autori

Cinzia Cuneo

Italiana di nascita e canadese d'adozione, Cinzia ha deciso di coniugare le sue competenze professionali e la sua passione per la buona tavola sviluppando un servizio per aiutare i numerosi «aventi bisogno» a riprendere il controllo della loro alimentazione. Così è nata SOSCuisine. Ingegnere di formazione al Politecnico di Torino, Cinzia ha conseguito un Master's Degree in scienze applicate all'École Polytechnique de Montréal.