Picture the scene: me on the balcony in my sunglasses, sweating under the 85 degree midday sun, whacking away at a coconut that’s hanging on for dear life to its shell. It was only one euro, I had to buy it, I just didn’t think it was going to be so difficult to open. Manu saved the day though, and gave me the tips necessary to open a coconut, drink its juice and slice it up in no time.
Open the coconut:
1) Take a screwdriver and position it in one of the three holes you see on the top of the coconut. Bang it with a hammer until you create a hole big enough for the water to come out. Repeat for the other holes.
2) Shake the coconut over a bowl until all the juice comes out. (Drink it after, it's so good for you!)
3) Get your hammer, turn the coconut on its side, and give it a really powerful WHACK! until it cracks and the outer shell comes off. (You might not want to do this in your living room.)
4) Detach the inner meat from the outer, hard shell. (A very thin brown layer will remain.) You might need to hit it with your hammer a few more times to detach the rest of the outer shell. And you’re done!
Eat the coconut:
-If you like it raw as is, soak the fruit in water so it stays moist.
-Slice it in thin strips and drop it in summery cocktails as a garnish.
-Chop it and place in a food processor with some warm water, blending until it liquifies. Strain it and you’ve got fresh coconut milk.
-Slice it in strips and bake it with some sugar for dried coconut slices to eat as a snack.
-Chop it into a fruit salad for a bit of crunch.
It was super liberating finally getting this coconut open and eating it. It felt like Survivor out there on my balcony! If you're feeling adventurous, get yourself a coconut and open it yourself. Let me know how it goes!
Tomorrow is a holiday and we're spending it grilling on the beach. I'll post photos with Manu's iPhone on the Facebook page!
Oh coconut and strawberries, yes please!!
ReplyDeleteWow...what a process. I am very intriguing and kind of want to try that. It's not to dry to eat? Interesting enough that I just read an article on how coconut water is sterile and can be used as IV fluid in an emergency.
ReplyDeleteit's such a good combo! i must have been inspired by the gelato post! http://www.thebootblog.net/2012/04/gelato-flavors.html
ReplyDeleteit is a bit dry, that's why i soak it first. i read that too, super interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love coconuts!! :) And the strawberries add a great touch!
ReplyDeleteYummy! I want to go open a coconut NOW!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. This is awesome. See I never knew how to open a coconut before. Not as hard as I thought!
ReplyDeleteit is so easy! all it takes is a good whack! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE raw coconut. When we were in Tahiti our tour guide showed us how to open one using a rock and I've always wanted to try to recreate it, but I haven't been able to. Looks like I need to use the screwdriver method.
ReplyDeletegreat tutorial! i wouldn't know how to open one either! xo
ReplyDeleteWhenever something involves a screwdriver and a hammer, I call Uncle Tommy. So, I'll have to him read this post before I make the purchase.
ReplyDeleteyum! all i want is fresh coconut now!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a triumph when you finally get it open, they are tough nuts to crack!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Maui, they had stands everywhere selling fresh coconut, and they would break it open for you. Loved watching it! You could also drink the juice directly out of the coconut — they would drill a hole for you and stick a straw in it. So delicious.
ReplyDeleteomg, you've been to tahiti? spectacular! haha, you'll need a pretty intense rock and a nice bicep for that trick! :)
ReplyDeleteso glad you like it ashley!
ReplyDeletei know, isn't it great? can you get them cheap where you are? (p.s. coconut muffins? :)
ReplyDeletethey really are! and yes, i'm pretty sure i yelled out, YES! when i got it open. :)
ReplyDeletemm! they do that here in italy too on the beaches. a guy goes up and down the shore saying, "cocco bello!" and when he cracks it open he holds it over your mouth so you can drink it! next time i'll bring a straw. :)
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