it's coconut harvesting time in the homestead again, so expect a few coconut-based recipes here. although, i have to say, i prefer coconut mostly unadorned, and as fresh as possible--adding ice to cool coconut water and scraping meat straight from the nut is as much as work as i usually do, and is pretty much all that is necessary. however, it doesn't make for much of a post.
something so simple and something so lovely and unusual is to serve the coconut sashimi-style, cut into bite-sized strips, accompanied with a sushi-grade soy sauce and wasabi. the condiments transform the flavour of the meat into something akin to ika, or raw squid. no, it's not fishy, but it seems more savoury, milky, and slightly sweet. it makes a good palate cleanser if you are serving several types of sashimi, or a nice alternative for a vegan or non-fish eating member of your party.
top tip: use the youngest coconut you can find. the sweeter and softer the flesh, the better!
14 comments:
3/03/2010 03:40:00 AM
wow! i always do this with avocado, but never thought to eat coconut sashimi style... will try soon!
3/03/2010 07:36:00 AM
I never thought of having coconut like that. I love coconut and I'm sure it would be great with the saltiness of the soy sauce.
3/03/2010 09:28:00 AM
Interesting! I can't wait to try this.
3/03/2010 09:51:00 AM
hi ila, joy, and drea! nice to see you here. the key is to use sushi/sashimi grade soy sauce--something thick, salty, but not harsh. kikkoman and yamasa make good, relatively inexpensive ones.
3/04/2010 05:56:00 PM
itadakimasu!
that's a great idea and pretty too. ila's avocado sashimi sounds yummy too.
(but, and there's always one, how can you possibly resist scraping the flesh off the coconut while sipping the water out?!? it's as automatic as spooning up fizzy ice cream as you suck up the root beer in a float...)
3/04/2010 07:24:00 PM
akatsukira-ra-ra-ra, i had 15 coconuts. after the third one, i was sort of over it.
3/05/2010 09:54:00 AM
This really is a beautiful bite. Those dudes who sell coconuts to tourists at Ft. Apugan charge like five bucks for the whole experience...
3/05/2010 10:14:00 AM
$5!!! man, i gotta find a corner of tumon to set up shop. do you get a free carabao ride with that?
3/17/2010 12:35:00 AM
Interesting idea… This looks delicious. Tanks for this great post.
4/01/2010 10:40:00 AM
Love coconut. The water I like well chilled- no ice please. I never though to eat it the way you described. I will have to try that. Roasted coconut makes a lovely chutney.
4/21/2010 04:02:00 AM
It's so difficult finding young coconut here in NYC. I think there's one store in the Lower East Side that sells it, and then only in the summer.
And now, on seeing your post, I have a craving for it.
4/21/2010 10:21:00 AM
hi sorina, thanks for stopping by!
wizzy, roasted coconut chutney is lovely. do you have a recipe you can share?
stash! did you see this NYT article? the writing is gag-worthy, but it mentions a few places that sell young coconut in the city.
4/24/2010 05:28:00 PM
This is a wonderful japanese-style presentation. I wish I lived in a country where I could eat fresh coconut every day!
5/11/2010 12:41:00 AM
This looks fabulous. I have noticed the availability of young coconuts recently and didn't know how to make the best of them. Thanks for the inspiration!
H :)
Post a Comment