Ribbed like a pumpkin, but with a spiderweb exterior like a cantaloupe, the Montreal melon was a wildly popular fruit in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It graced the dining tables of the finest U.S. hotels and was literally fit for a king.
It had been cultivated for centuries, particularly in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, but it all but disappeared by the 1950s.
In this episode of Good Question, Montreal, we’ll hear about efforts to revive the Montreal melon and why some say it’s overdue for a comeback.
LISTEN | Why did the Montreal melon disappear?
18:27Why did the Montreal melon disappear?
Ribbed like a pumpkin, but with a spiderweb exterior like a cantaloupe, the Montreal melon was a wildly popular fruit in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It graced the dining tables of the finest U.S. hotels and was literally fit for a king. It was cultivated by local producers, particularly in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, but it all but vanished by the 1950s. We’ll hear about efforts to revive the Montreal melon, and why some say it’s overdue for a comeback.
Do you have a question about Montreal? Host Ainslie MacLellan is determined to help find the answer. Whether it’s a story that’s disappeared from the headlines, a curious landmark in your neighbourhood, or a quirk of Montreal life you’ve been wondering about, we’re on it. Let’s learn about this place together.
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