The Exotics

My son is all about food.  He is drawn to anything different or unusual and has quite a varied palate.  Our trips to the fresh food market leave us trying to figure out how to transport all of our goodies home on our bicycles.  Yesterday was the day for exotic fruit.  If you see some of these in the grocery store and tend to pass them up because you are unsure - try them!  Maybe not all at once, because they tend to be a little spendy, but venture out once in a while and give them a try.

Dragonfruit is a very mild tasting fruit.  It has Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in the seeds and has a considerable amount of Vitamin C and fibre.  Dragonfruit also has calcium, phosphorus and iron.  It is part of the cactus family.  Once you cut into it, scoop out the middle with a spoon.

Starfruit, or Carambola, is another favourite.  It has tons of antioxidants, and is rich in the B-complex vitamins.  I normally cut the edges off if they are discoloured, but the entire fruit, including the skin, is edible.  It is very mild and not overly sweet.  It is very low in calories for a tropical fruit.

Goldenberries, or Gooseberries are also delicious and not too sugary.  They do tend to be expensive, coming from Colombia.  They also have polyphenols and anti-oxidants and have anti-inflammatory benefits.

These are all good raw, cold or room temperature, but also great in smoothies or other fruit dishes.