Produce Briefs...
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Monstera is available in the fall.
Description/Taste
Monstera (pronounced mon-STAIR-uh) is also known as ceriman, swiss cheese fruit and Mexican breadfruit though it is not related to the traditional breadfruit. It is a cylindrical reptile-like fruit with hexagon-shaped tiles on its exterior that split away and fall when fully ripe. The kernels of fruit have a custard texture and a distinctive sweet and tart tropical flavor reminiscent of pineapple, banana and mango. Gray and black streaks are normal and appear on the inedible core as the kernels detach from the stalk. The fruit often ripes in stages over 5 or 6 days. It must be fully ripe before eating as sharp calcium oxalate crystals of unripened fruit can irritate the membranes of the mouth, tongue and throat causing an itching sensation.
Nutritional Value
Low in calories, monstera is high in potassium and vitamin C.
Applications
Ripe kernels of fruit generally fall off the fruit on their own when ready to eat over a few days. Eat the ripe kernels in stages as they develop. To ripen more quickly, wrap the entire fruit in a paper bag to catch the falling kernels and avoid a mess. The flesh can be eaten on its own or added to blended drinks or cocktails. Mix with bananas, pineapples or mango for a tropical fruit salad. Sprinkle on top of ice cream. Experiment with replacing pureed monstera anywhere you would use pureed banana – such as banana breads or cakes. Keep at room temperature.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
With the unusual and attractive appearance characteristic of the monstera plant, this aesthetic plant is valued as an ornamental in gardens, homes and greenhouses.
Geography/History
A member of the Arum family and of the species Monstera deliciosa, monstera is a native of tropical American forests. Familiar to some as the split-leaf philodendron, monstera now flourishes in California and Florida. If the fruit is left on the plant it turns in to a thistle-like flower that comes in various colors including white, pink, yellow and purple.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Monstera. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Endless Simmer |
|
Delicious Monstera Salad |
| Tinkering with Dinner |
|
Tropical Fruit Salad Ice Cream |
