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Averrhoa carambola, commonly known as star fruit, is one of the many delicious fruits found in India. It is usually available in summers, and you surely must have savoured this fruit as it is often sold by the peddlers, who cut them in small slices, giving it a star shape with a generous pinch of chaat masala and kala namak. The peculiar tanginess of the fruit, coupled with satisfying crunch and juiciness, makes it distinct from other seasonal fruits. The carambola fruit comes in two forms- the small and green colored versions are generally quite sour, while, on the other hand, the yellow ones are sweet in taste.
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The fruit is mostly grown in Southeast Asian countries like India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and other tropical areas, including the Caribbean and Latin America. Carambola or star fruit is full of vitamins and minerals, which are good for your health, and including them in your diet could be beneficial for you. Here are a few ways you can include them in your everyday diet to keep yourself fresh and full of energy.
Star Fruit Pickle
In the context of pickling, star fruit absorbs the tangy and spicy flavours of the marinade, creating a harmonious blend of tastes. The tanginess of the pickle complements the natural sweetness of the star fruit, creating a balanced and vibrant flavour profile. The spices used in the marinade, such as mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder, and red chilli powder, add depth and complexity to the pickle, enhancing its overall taste.
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Star Fruit Salad With Avocado & Feta
Sweet fruit, light acidic dressing, and greens make the ideal combination for this nutritious star fruit salad. It's a quick and simple meal to serve as a light lunch or supper side. It's quite refreshing since the delicious fruit is refrigerated before creating the salad. Who can resist a luscious, juicy cube cut into golden stars? Make sure all of your salad ingredients are chilled before slicing and the combination of chilly carambola fruit, soft butter lettuce with avocado and feta seals the deal.
Star Fruit Boba Mocktail
Fresh star fruit is mixed into a light, acidic base with citrus juice and a hint of sweetness to produce a brilliant golden drink. What makes it enjoyable is the inclusion of chewy boba pearls, which absorb the fruity flavours and offer a lively texture with each sip. This mocktail, served chilled over ice, strikes an ideal mix between sweet and acidic flavours. It's a great sip for summer afternoons, providing a novel way to consume starfruit other than slicing it up and consuming it.
Star Fruit Chutney
A classic chutney is an Indian condiment that resembles relish. It is usually sweet and spicy, with a tanginess from vinegar, while the peppers add spice, and sugar and fruit give sweetness. You may use green or yellow starfruit in these recipes; both work nicely. The chutney can be refrigerated for up to three days. Adjust the spice and sweetness levels to your liking, and enjoy this vivid and healthy chutney created with the distinctive starfruit!
Star Fruit Lonji
One of the most popular dishes made with the star fruit is kamrakh lonji. It is easy to prepare, flavourful and extremely indulgent. For this, kamrakh is chopped and cooked with some typical Indian spices to perfection. Lonji is just little chunks of fresh mango cooked with spices and jaggery till they have a delightful, thick consistency. Instead of raw mangoes, you may use star fruits, which make an excellent side dish for dinners, delivering a burst of flavour with each bite. Best of all, it employs common pantry goods and does not involve peeling or deseeding any fruit, making it quick and simple.
