Breadfruit. Generally eaten as a vegetable and related to the fig. The fruit resembles a round or oval melon, 20-25.5 cm (8-10 inches) in diameter with a thick, rough, yellowish-green rind which ripens to brown. It is so named because the pale, pulpy flesh around the large central core has a mild flavour similar to fresh bread or globe artichokes. To use, peel it and then either bake, fry or boil it, or it can be made into soup. It can be part of either sweet or savoury dishes. It grows on a tall tree with broad green leaves, providing shade as well as fruit. A well-watered tree can produce as many as 1000 fruits in a year.
Tropical almond. The fruit looks similar to the almond and is usually pale green, though it may be reddish-purple. There is a fibrous seed containing a pointed kernel, or nut. It can be eaten fresh and raw, or cooked. It is sometimes difficult to remove the fibrous seed without damaging the nut. There is a thin covering of skin on the nut, and it is worth removing it as it can be very astringent. It is much prized in the Moghul cooking of northern India, they are eaten fresh or used in badam barfi, fudge-like sweets, or used to thicken sauces in dishes such as korma. They are grown in Kashmir and Afghanistan as they do not grow well in tropical regions. Elsewhere, cashew and other nuts are substituted.
Ivy gourd. A small crunchy gourd reminiscent of a gherkin, green ripening to red, popular in the cuisines of India, Thailand, Indonesia and other South East Asian countries. The shoots and leaves can also be eaten.
