What can you do with Thai coconut?

[RawLife]

HI. I bought a thai coconut at a farmers market because I saw it mentioned in a book.

But I really have never had/used coconut before, of any kind, except sprinkled on something that was cooked (cake).

How do you prepare the coconut? Or do you just open the package and start eating it since its raw? Is this kind the one to use for milk/water...I have read some are using coconut in smoothies...any advice helpful...thanks.

[Raw Magwene]

REally, the question is ...What Can't you do with thai coconut!

It's white, right, with one pointy end and one flat end? Saw the husk off the flat end until you see some brown under there. I have a cheap chefs knife, the kind that can't be sharpened that has a serrated edge that I use just for this. There should be three spots, just as there are on a regular brown coconut. One will be soft and easy to cut out with the tip of your knife. Then you can pour out the water or just sip it from the coconut with a straw. (My friend just punches 2 holes in the coconut with an clean nail and hammer) Now turn your coconut pointy side up again. Using the claw side of a clean, dedicated hammer (no raiding the tool box!), open the coconut. This is messy and will spray stuff everywhere! I do it outside on the balcony.
Thai restaurants accomplish all this with one wicked sharp cleaver and 5 neat cuts on the top of the coconut.
Scoop out the meat on the inside and
1)eat as is
2)blend w/ some of the coconut water and some soaked dates for pudding.
3)Slice into thin "noodles" and add to a salad or slaw
4)add to raw ice cream or whipped cream
5)scoop out and freeze it to use later in a recipe

It is a totally different beast from that dry, shredded, sweetened stuff you had on top of cakes!

I think the coconut water tastes best straight from the fridge.
Enjoy!

[elian]

I made the pina colada from Raw Food Real World last night. YUMMY. I drank a little, added extra agave and then turned it into ice cream with my ice cream maker. Hubby even liked it!

[girlsmiley]

I went to an Asian Market today and picked up 2 thai coconuts ... I was so excited to find them and they were $1.19 (I've seen them at the health food store for $2.99).

I opened one and it was brown inside ... gross ... is it supposed to be white? I am afraid to open the 2nd one now ... lol ...

[mbf]

Yes, if it is brown or red inside it is bad. But do open the other one if you get a good one it will be worth it!


RawLife do a young coconut search by using the banana up above at the top of the page and you will find lots of recipes and advice on young coconuts!

I just made cacao pudding for breakfast this morning :D with coconut meat!

Mara

[Veganforlife]

we-ll...I put dee lime in dee coconut and drink it all up!!!
Ya 'mon!!!

[RowanC]

I open them every day... if they smell fresh, they are fine. If they smell sour, don't eat them.

I see a lot of purple, tan, or reddish meat coconuts.
I asked the produce guy at the asian market here and he said they're fine if they smell fresh. They aren't all white.

I'm not sure how correct this is, but I haven't gotten sick yet and I eat one every day... :eek:

[girlsmiley]

Yes, if it is brown or red inside it is bad. But do open the other one if you get a good one it will be worth it!
The one that was brown inside had what looked like "bruising" on the outside, some brown spots, and there wasn't much water in it.

I opened up the 2nd one today and it was full of clear water (which I used to make butternut squash soup) and the meat was bright white :p I just have to get it open further to get the meat out so I can use it in smoothies.

[Raw Magwene]

They should be nice and white outside, no moldy spots. Husk should feel slightly moist. Unwrap the plastic from it when you get it home, and store them in your fridge. If you shake it, it should not slosh...it should be totally full of liquid, so there should be no air available to create a slosh. I wish you the best of luck in finding 2 good ones next time.