Sunday, December 11, 2011

We Found a Surprise Plant

We, Frenchies, were down by the greenhouse, watching the guys move all the tropical plants into the new heated hoop house for winter storage.  Most of the plants survived our freak snowstorm a couple of weeks ago, except for a few that will need some TLC.  One, of those, in particular, caught our attention.

Sharkey, I don't remember seeing this plant before. It doesn't look like it fared too well after that freak snow storm. What do you suppose it is? 1 Sharkey, I don't remember seeing this plant before. It doesn't look like it fared too well after that freak snow storm. What do you suppose it is?

Why Francesca, I'm surprised you don't remember this one! I'll give you a few hints. Unlike other tropical fruits, the entire fruit is edible, including the waxy skin. They turn from green to yellow when ripe. 2 Why Francesca, I'm surprised you don't remember this one! I'll give you a few hints. Unlike other tropical fruits, the entire fruit is edible, including the waxy skin. They turn from green to yellow when ripe.

That's not enough of a hint! Hmm, the label in the pot says 'Carambola.' That name doesn't sound familiar. 3 That's not enough of a hint! Hmm, the label in the pot says 'Carambola.' That name doesn't sound familiar.

Oh come on, Franny! I know you'll get it! The fruit can have three to six ridges, but most commonly has five. It's known for its unique shape. 4 Oh come on, Franny! I know you'll get it! The fruit can have three to six ridges, but most commonly has five. It's known for its unique shape.

The shape is quite interesting. I know I have seen this before! A few have fallen off before ripening. I'm going to take one into the head house and have a closer look! 5 The shape is quite interesting. I know I have seen this before! A few have fallen off before ripening. I'm going to take one into the head house and have a closer look!

I recognize this now that I've cut it in half! This is also called the starfruit! 6 I recognize this now that I've cut it in half! This is also called the starfruit!

I've seen it on Martha's show and in her cookbooks. It's most commonly eaten on its own or with other fruit, but can also pureed for its juice and sliced thinly to be used as a garnish. 7 I've seen it on Martha's show and in her cookbooks. It's most commonly eaten on its own or with other fruit, but can also pureed for its juice and sliced thinly to be used as a garnish.

Like many fruits, starfruit is an excellent source of Vitamin C. The texture is akin to a grape—fleshy yet firm on the inside with a crisp skin. 8 Like many fruits, starfruit is an excellent source of Vitamin C. The texture is akin to a grape—fleshy yet firm on the inside with a crisp skin.

When ripe, the flavor has tones of apple, pear, and citrus. Mmm, can you smell it? It's beautiful and delicious! 9 When ripe, the flavor has tones of apple, pear, and citrus. Mmm, can you smell it? It's beautiful and delicious!

Posted by F&S on November 11th, 2011 in Favorite Things, Friends, Housemates, Martha, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Playing, Working


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