Rambutan

Coconut is the most versatile of all plants that I ever knew. From the fruits, to the leaves, to the trunk almost all parts of it can be used for something. The leaves we used for wrapping a delicacy we call “suman” (glutinous rice wrapped in coconut leaves). The inner part of the leaves is…

Star Fruit or Carambola,(I call it Balimbing), is becoming increasingly popular among the population especially here in Hawaii. A growing number of people find it not only refreshing to eat but also have healthy benefits like anti-oxidants and Vitamin C. It is mostly used as garnish for drinks because of the star shape of the…

Tamarind or sampalok as we call it in the Philippines is a versatile fruit. We can make it into candy or jam, we can use it in cooking as a souring agent for the ever popular “sinigang” or you can eat it as it is ripe or raw. Also the leaves were used too in…

Macopa or Mountain Apples are in season now in Hawaii and they look delicious. Their red color make them almost look like red delicious apples. They are crunchy and succulent and although not too sweet, they are refreshing to eat. Each fruit have a seed inside which you can discard because they are not edible.

Breadfruit or “Rimas” is a wonderful fruit because it doesn’t taste sweet like most fruits are but instead tastes like potatoes when cooked that’s why to me it is a vegetable. It is called “ulu” in Hawaii. The tree is in the family of mulberry tree that’s why you can use the wood bark as…

Lime is one of my favorite citrus fruit. I use it especially in making Mexican salsa. I like the fresh flavor of the juice combine with tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper and the fresh herb cilantro. After making the salsa I can make my favorite dip the guacamole. Avocados are in season now so it is…