Young Coconut
Young coconut is picked before it fully matures, resulting in sweeter water and flesh. This is a tropical fruit that you can eat and drink! The water is amazingly hydrating, and the inside flesh is high in potassium, fiber, and vitamin B. It has a sweet and slightly nutty flavor that will refresh you!
How to open it?
- You´ll need a steady and safe work surface a cutting board, and a meat cleaver to cut will be helpful. Otherwise, try a large, heavy knife, but be careful! Keep a dish towel nearby for any mess.
- Hold the coconut steady near the bottom.
- Use the bottom corner of the blade to make a cut about an inch below the tip of the coconut – remember that you need to strike hard enough to crack the inner shell, not just the soft fiber.
- Make another three cuts the same way as the first one, in a perpendicular and parallel way, forming a U – same force, same depth. Then make one last cut to form a square.
- Using the corner of the blade, push the square open. If it doesn’t open, the cuts are not deep enough…
- Once open, you can enjoy the fresh coconut water with a straw or pour it out and set it aside.
- Turn the coconut to the side; strike firmly into it, hard enough for the blade to stay stuck.
- Now, holding to the handle, whack the coconut onto the surface to split it open.
- Finally, use a spoon to scrape the white flesh out.
Recipes
LEMONADe MOJITO
Make an amazing and different very fresh lemonade!
Ingredients:
- Coconut water
- Lime juice
- Ice
- Sugar
- Mint leaves
Instructions:
- Add the mint leaves, lemon juice, and sugar to a glass.
- Muddle them until bruised, then add coconut water and ice.
- Garnish with mint leaves and some fresh coconut flesh.
Ceviche
This is a very good and fresh vegan alternative for those hot summer days.
Ingredients:
- Chopped flesh of a whole young coconut
- Orange and lime juice (to taste)
- Chopped cucumber, tomato, and scallion or onion
- Avocado and cilantro for garnish.
Instructions:
- Chop all the veggies and coconut on a similar size.
- Add them together and toss to combine in a bowl.
- Add the orange and lime juice to desired acidity.
- Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Garnish with avocados and cilantro.
- Serve with tortilla chips or tostadas.