I recently was introduced to an intriguing fruit native to Africa called Tamarind. This fruit is 3-8 inches long in a curve shaped pod. When the pod is completely ripe, the shell is brittle and easily broken with your hands. Each pod can contain 1-12 shiny seeds covered by a brown, chewy, edible pulp. This fruit pulp contains calcium and Vitamins A and B as well as being high in potassium and fiber! These pods are not grown on vines, but rather in trees.
Tamarind can be consumed in a variety of ways! As mentioned above, the fruit can be eaten as is. It can also be made into chutneys, curries, and sauces. Tamarind candies can be made from forming the pulp into balls and coating with powdered sugar as commonly available in Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Tamarind can also be used to make a popular tropical drink commonly found in Mexico and Puerto Rico, among other places.
This is a versatile, tasty fruit available in the US and becoming more and more popular! Give it a try. It can be found at health food stores!
Resources:
Tamarind
Food Uses
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