312 FRUIT RECIPES 



curiously shaped leaves bears a most delicious fruit, cone- 

 like in form, whose flavour is singularly delightful, a com- 

 bination of pineapple and banana both as to taste and pulp- 

 consistency, though far more aromatic than either. The 

 light, husky skin is not unlike the pineapple in its markings, 

 though very tender and readily removed. 



The Kai Apple {Aberia Caffra), from Natal, is a large, 

 edible fruit which makes an excellent preserve. 



The Carissa carandas or " Caraunda," theCarissa arduina 

 and C. acuminata, are also Natal fruits, known variously 

 as "Amatungulu" and "Amatungula" and "Maritzgula." 

 The Carissa arduina resembles both a cherry and 

 raspberry, having a thin, deep-red skin, and tiny seeds 

 (larger than the fruits it resembles) , and makes a delicious 

 preserve though equally good uncooked. 



The "Strawberry Pear" {Cereus triangularis) is a rela- 

 tive of the Night-blooming Cereus, and its "scaly buds," 

 called "Godochra" in Jamaica, are used in making the tooth- 

 some "pepper-pot" of the West Indies. The "pear "itself 

 is pleasing but not more pronounced than many other 

 fruits of the cacti. 



The "Melon Pear" or Pepino, sometimes called also 

 "Melon Shrub" is one of the edible Solanums, described 

 by Mr. Grelech of Los Angeles, who introduced it there 

 from Guatemala, as resembling "in many respects the 

 Chili pepper vine, the tomato, or the nightshade. . . . The 

 fruit is of the size of a hen or goose egg or even larger, 

 and very much of the same shape. . . . The interior of the 

 fruit is a solid pulp similar to that of a pear, also of a pale 

 yellow colour and of a taste resembling that of a fine musk- 

 melon, but which has besides a charming acid, so whole- 

 some and delicious that when the fruit is partaken of on 

 a very warm day it allays the thirst for several hours.'* 

 It is in colour lemon, streaked with violet. 



