Greengrocer’s stalls are filled with these custard apples, called ashta in Lebanon and grown locally in coastal areas. Best to buy them still firm and let them ripen at home; their flesh will yield to gentle pressure and the fruit is the sweetest and creamiest you have ever tasted. Maybe that is why they are called ashta here, the Arabic word for cream.
In the US they are grown in some areas (California) and are sold in farmer’s markets; the ones I have bought from supermarkets in the past had been extremely disappointing, so best to get in touch with a grower and buy directly online. They are picked in the Winter.
14 Comments
Wow! I have never seen these before! Would love to try!!
Never seen this fruit before – will keep my eye open!!
Those look like cherimoyas, which I grew to love when I lived in Chile. I almost never see them here (in the US) and when I do, they are very expensive. So, so yummy.
Never seen, nor heard of this fruit! I am keeping my eye out now! I am very consistent about buying produce I have never seen just for a taste – so it is good to know how it is supposed to taste!
V
I do see these regularly here in California. They look like a cherimoya and may in fact be related. GREG
http://www.sippitysup.com/cherimoyarasberrytartblog
Cherimoya? This should be made into an amazing ice cream!
Custard apples are abundantly found in winters in India and are very cheap during the season. Miss them now:( Thanks for brining back memories
@Banana Wonder: It actually was made into ice-cream!
Love custard apples! Sometimes I am lucky enough to find them at my local Arabic store here in San Diego, but they’re usually about $5 each. Ouch!
Be still my heart I love these. We call them sugar apples and I actually have a tree but it hasn’t put any out yet. Gonna give that tree a stern talking to right now!
I’ve never seen a fruit like this! The name sounds delicious,.
Je n’avais jamais vu ces fruits-la…
Je ne t’ai pas oublie mais sort d’une grippe, demain je m’en occupe !
Bises d’Athenes
Ils viennent de Mars où bien d’ailleurs…E.T maison…
We have those in Venezuela, they are called chirimoyas and we prepare them as ice cream, sorbet, juice and milkshake