Love Coconuts
We live on an island chain full of coconut trees and all too often these amazing
gifts from nature go unused. On most tropical Islands around the world coconuts
are a staple and a way of life, specifically because they are a local food
with huge nutritional benefits. In fact coconuts are classified as a “functional
food” because they provide many health benefits beyond their nutritional-rich
content of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Being packed with easy to digest simple sugars, minerals and electrolytes that
help replenish and restore the body’s balance and prevent dehydration, coconut
water is the ultimate thirst quencher. It has fewer calories, less sodium and
more potassium that a typical sports drink.
As we move into the hottest part of the year here in the Florida Keys, it is vital
that we stay hydrated and what better way than to drink fresh coconut water
right from the tree!
In other parts of the country most people are used to seeing the brown hairy
coconuts in the supermarket. These are the older coconuts that have had the
husk removed. Inside these coconuts you will find a lot of hard white meat and
not much water. Here in the Florida Keys we are lucky to have access to the
fresh young coconuts with the softer jelly meat and lots of water. These are
definitely my favorites. Help Yourself (829 Fleming St) sell’s a great tool to open
the coconuts making it super easy to get the water out. Drink it straight away or
decant it into a bottle and store in the fridge for later. If you have a machete
and feel brave enough to crack the nut in half the jelly is delicious eaten as is
right from the coconut or added to a smoothie! The harder meat is perfect for
“Coconut water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure, full of natural
sugars, salts, and vitamins to ward off fatigue… and is the next wave of
energy drinks BUT natural!”, according to Mortin Satin, Chief of the United
Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization.
Homemade Coconut Milk:
Meat from 1 coconut (harder meat)
1-2 cups water
Blend together and strain through cheese cloth. The less water you add the
creamier and richer the milk will be. The milk will keep for 5 days in the refrigeramaking
coconut milk or try squeezing some lime, salt and and a dash of cayenne
over it and you have a delicious spicy snack!
And if you don’t feel like cracking your own coconuts head down to Mallory
Square and ask the coconut man, Randesh, for one of his fresh pick!!
