Exotic Winter Fruits

Sometimes referred to as a "tree tomato", the tamarillo is an egg-shaped fruit that is pointed at both ends and has a green stem. The fruit has three “layers”. The skin is tough and bitter and may be red, purple, amber, or golden yellow in color. The outer layer of the tamarillo’s apricot-colored flesh is slightly firm while the inside is filled with dark edible seeds that are slightly harder than those of a tomato. This flesh is tangy and tart, but flavorful.

How to buy

Select tamarillos that are firm, unblemished and heavy for their size. When ripe, tamarillos should be fragrant and yield slightly to gentle pressure.

How to store

Tamarillos may be ripened at room temperature, then stored in the refrigerator once they are ripe. They last up to ten days in the refrigerator if wrapped in plastic. Tamarillos may also be frozen if they are peeled and wrapped individually.

How to eat

Tamarillos should be peeled before eating or cooking. Blanch in boiling water for  two to three minutes to easily remove the skin if the fruit is not ripe. When ripe, tamarillos are usually eaten raw.

The easiest way to eat a tamarillo is to cut the fruit in half and scoop the flesh out with a teaspoon; it comes in its own ready-made bowl! Sprinkle with a little sweetener if the fruit is too tart. You can also dip the fruit in orange juice concentrate to sweeten it. 

The feijoa is also an egg-shaped fruit,  but has a thin lime-green skin. The flesh inside is cream-colored. The texture is gritty – similar to that of a pear. The taste is subtle and tropical, often described as a combination of pineapple, guava, and strawberry.

How to buy

Select fruit that is fragrant and gives slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe feijoas are delicate, so take caution not to bruise the fruit. Feijoas are gaining in popularity and are becoming easier to find in supermarkets. 

How to store

Ripe feijoas may be refrigerated, but they don’t have to be. Feijoas can be ripened off the tree in a paper bag at room temperature; to ripen more quickly, add an apple to the bag. Ripe feijoas normally last about 3 to 5 days. Feijoas may be frozen, but only if peeled and cooked into a puree.

How to eat

Feijoas are most often eaten raw. The fruit is ripe when it is slightly soft and the inside is clear. The fruit is unripe when the inside is white and is spoiled when brown. Unfortunately, this test of ripeness may only be determined once the fruit is opened. As with the tamarillo, the skin is not eaten. For easy eating, cut the fruit in half at the center and scoop the flesh out with a teaspoon. Otherwise, peel the fruit.

A red banana is smaller than a common banana, but the peel is a deep red or purple. It has a creamy white to pink flesh. The overall taste is similar to a common yellow banana, but has a hint of raspberry flavor.

How to buy

Select firm bananas free from bruises or cracks in the peel. Look for a deep purple color - this indicates that the banana is ripe. Red bananas are available year round at specialty markets and larger supermarkets.

How to store

As with common yellow bananas, red bananas will ripen in a couple of days at room temperature. Store bananas at room temperature in an uncovered location; do not refrigerate. Turn bananas occasionally.

How to eat

Peel fruit prior to eating. Red bananas are most frequently eaten whole or chopped and added to desserts or fruit salads. Red bananas are also one of varieties commonly used for store bought dried bananas, so they can be dehydrated.

Kiwano melon is an oval-shaped fruit with “horns” on its peel. It has a bright orange and yellow skin with a pale yellow-green pulp inside. The flavor of the pulp is sweet with a hint of tartness; best described as a mix of bananas, lime and cucumber.

How to buy

Select melons that are bright orange in color and have no bruises or spots. It is best to purchase a melon that has the horns intact, as damaged horns may be a sign of rough handling. Kiwano melons are available year round in specialty markets and supermarkets.

How to store

Unripe melons may be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. Ripe melons will last about four days at room temperature. There is no need to refrigerate kiwano melon.

How to eat

There is no way to peel the skin off of the melon, so the fruit needs to be scooped out of the melon before eating. The melon may be cut in half or into wedges to help extract the fruit pulp. The pulp may be eaten by itself, used as a topping for a sweet dessert, or added to a fruit or green salad. The shell may also be used as a serving dish once the pulp is removed, but the skin should not be eaten.

Guava is an oval-shaped fruit that ranges in size from that of a small egg to that of a medium apple. The thin skin may be yellow, red, purple or nearly black. Flesh ranges in color from pale yellow to a bright red. Guava is sweet, with a slightly tart aftertaste. Its texture is firm – similar to that of an apple. 

How to buy

Select fruit that gives to gentle pressure and is unblemished.

How to store

Green, unripe guavas should be stored at room temperature until ripe. Ripe guavas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Ripe guavas stored at room temperature will spoil quickly; normally within a couple of a days.

How to eat

The entire guava is edible. The rind and small seeds inside, along with the creamy flesh are often used in making jellies, preserves, and sauce. To be eaten raw, guava needs to be very ripe. Guava is typically sliced lengthwise into 5 or 6 slices and seeds discarded.