Look For
Firm, unblemished melons from 5 to 12 inches in length. Choose melons that are still green for a more bitter flavour and choose yellow-orange melons for a milder taste.
To Store
Store melon loose in a paper or plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Slice the melon only immediately before use.
To Prepare
Cut in half and discard the seeds and fibrous core. To reduce the bitterness, blanch in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. The skin is edible and the melon is not typically peeled. Bitter melon is commonly stuffed, curried or pickled.