A Box of Young Coconuts
Last weekend I made my first trip to the Asian grocery store in town. It’s time I get away from my Euro-American cooking comfort zone and explore some new terrain. I asked my friend Chuck if she needed me to pick up anything.
“Maybe just a box of young coconuts.”
A box? I looked all over the store, moving in slow motion along the aisles as I scanned every product. Thank goodness almost everything had a picture on the package. So many totally unfamiliar ingredients! I had a time just finding the basics to getting my feet wet, like soy sauce, nori, miso and soba noodles.
I finally went to the counter and asked the clerk. “How many boxes?” she asked. “We’ll bring to your car.”
“Just one.” I had no idea what Chuck would even do with these.
Drink them! If you’re on board with the coconut water craze, this is the source. They do wonders for getting you hydrated and are a cheaper way to go than the fancy water bottles in stores. Chuck’s boyfriend showed me how to hack them open.
Just give them a couple hits with a hatchet, grab a straw and drink!
As to what to do with the rest of the meat inside, I have no idea. Any suggestions? Young coconuts have their own fan page, so that’s my first stop in navigating their mystery.