Picking Ice Apple

Borassus flabellifer/Ice apple, often referred to as simply 'palm fruit', is a well-loved fruit. The season of this fruit varies across regions; in this part of the coast it usually lasts from December to March. We have quite a few palm trees bearing this fruit in our fields in the village. However, over the years, the menace of people stealing the fruit to sell in cities is on the rise. During the day, the men go to work, and the women-folk of the house generally avoid confrontation even when they know it's being stolen. Also, people living there don't associate much value with such foods; on the contrary, people pay exorbitant prices for such 'exotic' foods in the city. 

This time, we had to visit the village for a Bhootha ritual in the evening. We went a little early to try and pick a bunch or two of these delicious fruits, if spared from the thieves. We were lucky, as there was just one bunch which had a few tender ones. The others were over-ripe which meant it would be less juicy, hard and tasteless. But the question was getting the bunch down, as the tree was taller than usual, and the stick used to pick the fruits was quite pliable. Thanks to my Dad's rural upbringing, he comes up with great ideas; also the way he knots up things can put a sailor to shame! 
My Grand-aunt's calf grazed close by, and it looked like she was unwilling to leave. With continued effort, much tugging and pulling, we were finally able to pull down two bunches. Ah, the happiness when I sank my teeth into those beautiful juicy little 'eyes', in the soft evening light with shadows lengthening by the minute- it was magical. 


Finally, no visit to the village is complete without a shot or two of the fields at dusk, so here I leave you with this picture!

Comments

  1. So how do I start and how do I end? It's a wonderful fruit... I love it... the pictures are awesome... the last one is stunning ;-)

    Cheers, Archana - www.drishti.co

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  2. Targola or Tatilingo....one of my favorites :D

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    1. I haven't met anyone who doesn't like this fruit yet :)

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    2. Which language is it called Tatilingo in?

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  3. At first sight I thought it’s a brinjal, apologies for that but I think all North Indians who didn't have any idea about this fruit will consider it a brinjal at first sight, but after reading your the post I came to know about this wonderful jelly type fruit. I have never heard or saw this fruit, earlier in my life so thanks for sharing this great post. I'll try this for sure whenever I visit South India :)

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    1. Haha, the consistency is totally different from a brinjal. This is a yummy fruit, do try to have it on your trip down South.

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  4. I am from Uttar Pradesh but I have tried this when I was in bangalore.it feels like ice if you have this fruit during summer.

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  5. Thanks for sharing it is Very Informative page, I hope it will be useful for all of us. , How to Care Kalanchoe Plant in Summer to get more valuable Information about kalanchoe plant.

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