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Star attraction
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Rich in protein, Vitamin C and essential amino acids, it helps control blood pressure
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JUST PICK THEM Star fruit can be sliced and eaten fresh
It is a fruit of a tree that is grown in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil and the West Indies.
Originally from Sri Lanka and the Malacca islands and cultivated in South East Asia and Malaysia for several hundred years, this fruit is identified by many names such as bilimbi, Chinese star fruit, five angled fruit and star apple. Nowadays, star fruit flourishes in South Florida and Hawaii, because it thrives in a warm tropical environment.
The fruit, when cut across the middle, looks like a five-pointed star and hence its name. It has a waxy, golden yellow-green skin with a complicated flavour.
Varieties of star fruit
Tart: This variety typically have narrowly spaced ribs.
Sweet: This variety tends to have thick, fleshy ribs.
The taste between the two is hardly distinguishable as the tart variety still has some sweetness.
Health benefits
The presence of essential amino acids leads to better digestion of food. The fruit, which is low in fat and carbohydrates, and high in protein, helps relieve hangovers. The amino acids also lower blood pressure.
Cuisine
Star fruit is usually sliced and eaten fresh, either with cream and sugar as a dessert or with vinaigrette like avocados. The flesh is juicy and acidic. The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. It is sodium and cholesterol free. Select firm, shiny-skinned and even-coloured fruit.
Normally, it ripens at room temperature and becomes slightly brown along the ribs when it's ripe. This fruit is also available in its dried form, which is good for cooking and pickling. Now for a recipe.
Star fruit Bruschetta
Ingredients
Star fruit: 1
Pineapple cubes: 50gm
Dried cranberries: 100gm
Dried blueberries: 100gm
Brown sugar: 15gm
Cream cheese: 150gm
Fresh cream: 75ml
Jalapeno chilli, diced: 50gm
Chives chopped: 10gm
Method: Cut the star fruit into quarter-inch slices. In a bowl, mix together cranberries, blueberries, pineapple, jalapeno and sugar.
Mix the cream and cheese, put it in an icing cone and make a rose flower at the centre of each sliced fruit.
Place the seasoned fruits on top and garnish with chopped chives.
HRUDANANDA BEHERA
Sous chef, Hip Asia,
Taj Connemara, Chennai
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