We are all familiar with the pineapple, papaya, avocado, banana - in Hawaii, these more common fruits have reached their maximum, most tantalizing flavor and make the mainland fruits pale in comparison. But it's the exotic fruits of Hawaii that are the most fascinating experience for both the eye and the palette. Feast on these photos and please share your impressions and your paintings with me!!
The blossom of the banana - also edible, and similar to the heart of the artichoke in flavor and appearance:
The largest, most exotic cherimoya fruit (custard fruit) I've ever seen. Creamy and delicious inside, and rubbery, warty on the outside - felt like one of those latex halloween monster masks!
The Mamey Sapote! Completely outrageous in texture, appearance and taste! The outer rind reminds me of the color of the moss rock in Colorado. The interior is dense in texture - like a firm, cooked yam. The flavor is indescribable, but I would say, if you sprinkled a bit of nutmeg and sugar on top, you would have something similar to pumpkin pie flavor. Michael liked his Mamey Sapote sliced up with avocado. If anyone has some imaginative recipes for this exotic fruit - please send them to me.
I've saved the most magnificent "fruit find" for last:
Yes - this is a pink banana. Such a lovely lovely creation. Look at the beautiful flower at the top. This was way up in the banana tree - so difficult to photograph - but well worth climbing through the soggy rainforest to snap the shot!
Aloha!
