Rambutan?

Every time I go to Whole Foods, I see heaps and bushels of odd fruits and vegetables I have never heard of before. Most people would pass by these, only casting curious glances, but I must know what these exotic delicacies taste like, what one does with it, what it looks like below its spiky shell. My last taste adventure was the rambutan. I thought it looked funny, like the prickly gumballs that litter the sidewalks at my grandmother's house, so naturally I bought one. Here's what I found out...

• The rambutan must be peeled, which is not an easy task
• The inside is white and slightly translucent like a lychee
• It was also quite squishy, like a lychee, and chewy
• There is a pit that is actually inedible and toxic. This pit peels and makes it very hard to eat this weird fruit
• Flavor: mild and slightly tart

Although tasty, the rambutan is not worth the trouble it takes to peel and remove its shell bits. *Comment if you know the secret to unlocking these funny fruits.*

Simply serve fruit salad at your next tea,

Christina