It’s Rambutan season!

October 3rd, 2007

Filed Under Food Finds, Hawaii Resources |

I was introduced to rambutans by a shopkeeper’s husband who was stocking them at their little store outside of Hilo. I had always wondered about them but never knew how to eat them. Spiky and odd looking, they were something I figured I’d never buy. As my husband, friend and I were talking to his wife at the counter, he stood silently with an open switchblade carefully putting a slit from one side to the other of the spikey skin and pushed the whitish translucent fruit up so it peeked out of the top. My husband said “oh we always wondered how you were supposed to eat those, we kind of figured you peeled that off but weren’t sure.” He walked over to us and gave me the one he’d just peeled and peeled two more for my husband and my friend.

“Push ‘em up and don’t eat da seed yeah” he said quietly. We all bit into the firm flesh and gave a collective “Mmm!!”

It’s like eating a peeled grape but more thirst quenching. (Don’t eat the seed inside.) We thanked him for sharing them with us and asked what we owed. He shook his head no and went back to his work. Though a man of little words, what he shared with us was a fruit that we are thrilled to get whenever they’re in season. They make great additions to fruit bowls and especially at Christmas time you can pair them with Granny Smith apples, limes or even white seedless grapes…anything with a green hue for a festive conversation starter.

Rambutan season runs from September to December and again in late Spring to early Summer. If you’re not exactly rolling in rambutans in your neck of the woods, I’ve bought from this online dealer, The Hula Brothers. They’re well packed and last for a good 2 weeks or so. The price and quantity is a little steep but if you and someone you know want to go half on it and split them or if you want to keep some at home and take some to work for people to try could be a good way to get 7 lbs. of fruit gone in a hurry.

Step outside your comfort zone and try all of the wonderful fruits out there that you typically walk by. You never know that funny looking spiky thing or fruit with a funky rind you walk by in the store may just be one of the tastiest jewels you’ve been denying yourself!