There were certain fruits I never, ever thought I'd pay money to obtain. In Hawaii, these fruits, well, they just are. When you have a chance to eat these in Hawaii, or where-ever you are, go for it!
Hello Starfruit, I've missed you from my 'small-kid' time. I'm embarrassed to say what I paid for just one. Its hoity-toity name is 'carambola' usually cut cross-sectioned (see photo) to show off its shape. As kids, we called 'em "five fingers," ate them like apples,
and everyone knew someone with a tree.
Starfruit has a firm texture, like a very crunchy grape. They are not too sweet, a little citrus-ey, very juicy, a cross between an orange and maybe a peach. Eat them when they light yellow and the skin is not wrinkly.
Hello Starfruit, I've missed you from my 'small-kid' time. I'm embarrassed to say what I paid for just one. Its hoity-toity name is 'carambola' usually cut cross-sectioned (see photo) to show off its shape. As kids, we called 'em "five fingers," ate them like apples,
and everyone knew someone with a tree.
Starfruit has a firm texture, like a very crunchy grape. They are not too sweet, a little citrus-ey, very juicy, a cross between an orange and maybe a peach. Eat them when they light yellow and the skin is not wrinkly.
The mango tree I used to climb
Mango. Haden, Pirie, and the humongous Shibata. Everyone had a backyard mango tree, and you couldn't give the stuff away during mango season.' This is the fruit I most routinely buy--typically Hadens from Mexico. Pirie (pronounce "peery") is an acquired taste--squishier than Hadens, eaten by slurping or spooning it off the pit.
Pineapple. In the name of 'local' (and nostalgia) I buy fresh Maui Gold pineapple from Hawaii instead of generic from Costa Rica. Lower acidity and good sweetness. Sadly, with the end of pineapple farming in Hawaii, the ability to buy canned Hawaiian pineapple has also gone. Canned pineapple is now from Costa Rica or Thailand.
Lychee. My grandma had a tree and a childhood friend had lychee trees. We picked, ate and spit out the pits while sitting up in the tree. Canned lychee is convenient because they are pitted, but the texture isn't even close. Asian markets and even Safeway will sometimes stock fresh lychee. Peel, eat and spit da pit.
Pineapple. In the name of 'local' (and nostalgia) I buy fresh Maui Gold pineapple from Hawaii instead of generic from Costa Rica. Lower acidity and good sweetness. Sadly, with the end of pineapple farming in Hawaii, the ability to buy canned Hawaiian pineapple has also gone. Canned pineapple is now from Costa Rica or Thailand.
Lychee. My grandma had a tree and a childhood friend had lychee trees. We picked, ate and spit out the pits while sitting up in the tree. Canned lychee is convenient because they are pitted, but the texture isn't even close. Asian markets and even Safeway will sometimes stock fresh lychee. Peel, eat and spit da pit.
One of my parents' papaya trees
Papaya. Not my favorite, but my husband and son love them. Slice them in half, scoop out the slimy seeds that look like very, very big caviar, and spoon out the fruit like a melon. If you are searching for papaya, I recommend the smaller variety it just a bit bigger than your hand. One that is going from green to yellow-orange and eat it right away. Mushy papaya is just plain gross.
I've left out apple bananas (my dad's fave), mountain apples, coconut, breadfruit, guava and lilikoi (passion fruit). I'll have to leave those for another installment. 'Til then,
Eat Well. Be Well.
I've left out apple bananas (my dad's fave), mountain apples, coconut, breadfruit, guava and lilikoi (passion fruit). I'll have to leave those for another installment. 'Til then,
Eat Well. Be Well.
