exotic fruits, vegetables

[andis]

The markets in Singapore were absolutely exciting and intriguing at the same time. I was wondering whether there is a good book out there that has all the fruits and vegetables that are common in Singapore, but not a common sight to Europeans and Americans. They look so exciting, but I would like to be able to read up on what they are called, look like, taste like and how they are used. Can anyone recommend a cookbook.

I look forward to all the new tastes, we are moving to Singapore in August - and I hope to be able to get my kids to try new things.

[marj_kee]

Why settle for "reading about them" when you can be here experiencing them ?

Most fruits and vegetables are imported into Singapore. Nevertheless, they are very reasonably priced and readily available (except those that are seasonal).

Try :

1) Papaya
2) Mango
3) Coconut
4) Mangosteen
5) Longan
6) Lychee
7) Soursop
8) Jackfruit
9) Rambutan

... etc .. etc ... etc ... and not forgetting ... the ULTIMATE ... King of Fruits .. DURIAN !

[andis]

I will try them all, but I would like to know ahead of time whether I will eat the skin or not, take out the core, keep the core, cut, peel, not peel, use the leaves or not, etc. Many of the fruits do exist in western food stores, but the really exciting ones don't. It is like with rhubarb and spinach: in some way they look alike, but in one case you eat the stem and toss the leave as it is almost poisenous, and in the other case you keep the leave...

I guess I could ask the farmer selling the vegetable or fruit...

[Flutterby]

Wendy Hutton i believe has some books on this and there was also a really nice one by a publisher here...lovely painted pictures with description of the fruits and recipes... alas the name escapes me now. Browse in the cook book section of any book shop, you'll surely find something.

[hei guess what]

The information you seek are freely available on the web

http://www.proscitech.com.au/trop/d.htm

http://goasia.about.com/cs/azsiteindex/l/aa111000.htm

http://www.foodsubs.com/Fruittroex.html

Of course, you can google for more when you're done with the above links

Enjoy . . .

[andis]

Thank you, thank you, thank you all, that is exactly what I needed as a starting point. At least now I can go and check out each of these names that were all new to me and I had not written them down.

Yum, yum
I will definitely check out the libraries for cookbooks after moving.

[Patrick777]

How can anyone suggest the DURIAN fruit without the smell warning? Although I'm told it tastes very nice you have to get past the smell of crap first! The smell doesn't go away after a afew minutes and most hotels ban people eating DURIAN fruit in it's rooms as it doesn't go away for a few days!

Let me know if you get past the smell!

[Global Citizen]

Hi Andis,

Patrick is right about the durian. It's a love- hate thing with most and the smell has been described from smelly old socks to something rotting away and the fruit has a tough, prickly and sharp exterior, so you're forewarned and forearmed!

Hope you'll enjoy your stay when you get here and a welcome in advance.