Spread the Joy o' Cherimoya

SPREAD THE JOY O’ CHERIMOYA

Mark Twain called it “the most delicious fruit known to men,” while others have compared its flavor to a blend of pineapple, banana, peach, papaya and strawberry. R&L Farms has plenty of fresh cherimoyas at the North Park market, but the season is short so stock up today. The creamy white flesh of a ripe cherimoya has the rich consistency of custard and a decadent tropical aroma. 

If you’re an immigrant to San Diego (like me), you might not have seen this delicious fruit before; almost all the plantings in the United States are right here in this county.  Look for a light green fruit, about the size of an avocado, with indentations that look like thumbprints; from a distance you might mistake it for an artichoke. Pick one that feels slightly soft if you’ll be eating it today - both the taste and texture triumph only when the fruit is perfectly ripe.  Choose firmer fruit if it will be on your shelf for a few days.

Spoon the tasty treat right from the pale green skin, and enjoy it straight up or dress it in the Mexican style by adding a squeeze of lime from Paradise Valley Ranch.  Hmmm, why not try a squeeze of navel orange or even tangelo for something very Californian?  Another great way to appreciate the fragrant fruit is to scoop it atop a bowl of freshly sliced strawberries from Kawano farms - think of it as a vegan version of yogurt with fruit. Or get fancy with this Cherimoya Soup recipe with apple juice from Smit Orchards and honey from Meljess Bees. You'll enjoy-a your cherimoya!