July 4, 2020

If July 4th were represented by a fruit… it would be the Carambola (i.e. Star Fruit)!

I don’t know about you, but given that we’ve been cooking and eating at home so often, I feel like we’ve entered the territory of “a rut”! In my efforts to make going into the grocery store as easy as possible during the height of the pandemic, I don’t stray much from my list. Let’s face it – I could probably shop from memory since most things were a repeat every week and targeted to the things I can find quickly and easily.

So, it’s time to get more adventurous. I’m ready to celebrate my independence from “the rut” we’ve gotten into with our meals and snacks. I declare that my first adventure will be with Star Fruit. Although I’ve eaten it before (in raw slices), I’m ready to see how to give it a little more flare.

To start, select one that is firm and yellow (with minimal browning). Ripen at room temperature until you can smell its aroma and then refrigerate (up to a week). This waxy coated golden-yellow fruit has a sweet and tart flavor with hints of citrus, apple, and plum. The texture inside reminds me of an apple. The whole fruit has just 40 calories and is a great source of immune-boosting Vitamin C.

To prepare it, you just need to wash it (rinse under running water without soap or other cleansers), slice it and eat it. There is no need to peel it or remove the few seeds it contains. Despite its exotic nature, it’s a fairly low-maintenance choice for something new to try. Add it to a fruit salad, top a smoothie bowl or leafy green salad, skewer it with other kabob ingredients or add it to other savory dishes. You can also include it as an edible garnish for a little kick of flavor.

HEALTH ALERT: If you have kidney problems, avoid this fruit as it has oxalic acid (which can cause kidney stones to develop).