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In a Nutritional Rut? Try Some Exotic Fruits By Sheldon Margen, M.D., and Dale A. Ogar

With specialty markets springing up everywhere, there's no reason not to try some of the more unusual fruits that Mother Nature has put together. Here's a list of some to try:

Atemoya This fruit is a cross between a cherimoya (see below) and a sugar apple. Nutritionally, atemoyas have high potassium content.

Atemoyas grow in southern Florida and are also shipped from the West Indies. The peak season is August through October. When you buy these fruits, look for a pale green color that yields slightly to pressure from your fingers but has not cracked open.

You can keep atemoyas at room temperature for a day or two if they're not already soft when you get them home. Once ripe, they will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two.

Carambola In the market, carambolas are oval with very deep ridges going all the way to the center of the fruit. The flavor is sweet-tart, reminiscent of a blend of such fruits as plums, pineapples, grapes and lemons.

Carambolas are available from fall through late winter. You'll want to look for those that are shiny and well-shaped. When unripe, the skin is green; left at room temperature for a few days, however, the fruit will turn a beautiful gold and develop a wonderful aroma.

Cherimoya This fruit, grown in California and Florida, looks like a green pine cone, but inside it has a custard-like texture and flavor. Nutritionally cherimoyas are a good source of vitamin C and even have some iron.

Cherimoyas are usually available in the winter and early spring. Look for fruits that are yellow-green all over. You should let them ripen at room temperature until they feel like ripe peaches.

Longan These fruits are native to Asia and can range from grape- to plum-size. They become available in late summer and are a good source of vitamin C. Look for fruits that are heavy for their size and have uncracked shells.

Pomelo This is actually a kind of ancient grapefruit. The size of a melon and pear-shaped, it is usually available from late fall through midwinter. It's an excellent source of vitamin C.

Pomelos are pinkish or greenish yellow, and can be very tart or very sweet. Pick fruits that are heavy and fragrant, and store them in the refrigerator.

Sapote (or Sapota) White sapotes are about the size of oranges but have a green to yellow skin. Inside they are white and creamy. California sapotes are available from late summer to early fall. Choose firm fruits that you can ripen at room temperature for a day or two. Once they get soft, put them in the refrigerator.

Ugli Fruit This is a fairly new citrus fruit that is actually a hybrid of a grapefruit and an orange or a tangerine. It is usually most plentiful in winter and early spring. Choose a fruit that is heavy but gives in to slight pressure. Use them the same way you would any citrus fruit.

Sheldon Margen, M.D. and Dale A. Ogar are the authors of The Wellness Lowfat Cookbook (Rebus, 1994)

(c) 2001, Sheldon Margen, M.D., and Dale A. Ogar, Los Angeles Times Syndicate

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-- Anonymous, June 19, 2001