I am a lover of nuts and seeds of all kinds, and cashews have always been right up in near the top of the ranks. Previously, I had assumed the cashew probably grew in the ground like the peanut (I'm still trying to stretch my mind around that one, actually), but, as you can see from the little bean sitting atop this small red fruit, that is not the case. In fact, the little bean is not a bean at all. It contains a cashew! Here the cashew is called "semilla de marañon" which means the seed of the marañon. According to Esa, you cook the entire seed in a frying pan until the milk (?!) comes out and the seed is very burnt. You then chip away the outside, and, ta-da! a cashew.
I decided that since I like cashews so much, I was definitely going to like the fruit that they grow on. Here I am, all smiles, before the big taste-testing experience.
And... Here I am after the big taste-testing experience.
If I look a little queasy, that's probably because I was.
*Conclusion: just because you like sunflower seeds, does not mean you will like sunflower.
oh man, sorry for bugging you...in panama they love to drink jugo de maranon - def not a fav of mine...they say la semilla is poisonous before burning or cooking it...is this true?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea if that's true or not... I do know that here they swear cucumber seeds give you appendicitis though. I'm in for it if that's the case. :) I've never tried the jugo de maranon, but honestly, just the smell of that thing is enough to assure me I wouldn't be a fan either!
ReplyDeleteOk, should've saved the "LOL. LOL. LOL." for this post!
ReplyDeleteLoved your conclusion. haha.
Nice little cashew lesson Katie. After you posting the "after" picture of yourself I don't feel quite so sorry for the relative in the swimming pool that you posted!
ReplyDelete