Snake Fruit

My maid's sister just returned from a holiday in Indonesia and presented her with a bagful of "Buah Salak".  I remember my sis telling me that she used to eat it when small but I have never done so.

I was of course eager to taste it but found its reddish brown scaly skin rather repulsive.  It reminded me of snake skin (and that's why it is sometimes called "snake fruit").  When peeled, the inside consists of three creamy lobes (resembling garlic cloves) with a large seed in the middle.  I was disappointed that it did not taste as sweet as I imagined it would be.  I am told the fruit has many nutritional benefits and when pickled, tastes great!

Give it a try when you come across it!