Cantaloupe gets a bad rap. It?s the sad, lonely melon left at the bottom of the fruit bowl. I get it, I?ve never been a huge fan of cantaloupe myself. At least I wasn?t until I realized how life-changing it is to bite into a perfectly ripe and sweet cantaloupe. It?s like eating a completely different fruit! 

In the U.S., cantaloupe is in season from June to August. If you?ve come across this blog post in fall or winter, bookmark this page and come back. There?s nothing worse than unripe melon, especially in this recipe where sweet cantaloupe is in the starring role.

The first time I tested this recipe I ended up with an under ripe melon and it was a total bust. When shopping for a cantaloupe, select one that feels heavier than it looks and has a rind that looks like raised netting. Most of all, it should smell sweet. 
I paired cantaloupe with cucumber for a refreshing summer side perfect for hot summer days and nights. It?ll pair nicely with just about any barbeque spread, from grilled corn to veggie burgers. Cucumber is one of my favorite summer veggies because it?s really refreshing and hydrating. Now that I know how tasty cantaloupe can be, it?s ranking up there among my favorite summer fruits.

The dressing for this salad is quite simple. Just whisk together some avocado oil, lime juice, lime zest, agave, and salt. It?s the perfect blend of acidic and sweet. Toss it with the cucumber and cantaloupe, cover, and chill until you?re rea...