I’m amazed when they both know what it is.
They aren’t familiar with African Cherry but when I mention star apple they say yes. They can’t remember agbalumo but the White American gentleman says Udara as does the South American.
The dried one has them stunned. ‘I know it …but I’ve never seen it dried’.
I want to delve into my whole Kitchen Butterfly exploration with Udara this season but I’m not sure US customs is particularly interested in it. He breaks off a bit, goes to another desk to enquire. I want to say ‘it’s a new thing for us, preserving Udara. I only started this season’, but I let him do his job.
He comes back and says you can take the dried one in but not this one – the frozen.
I’m confused. I’ve taken away all the things I believe are risks – the skin and the seeds. All that’s left is the flesh. No agricultural risk. Me thinks.
He says no, ‘Last May we had an outbreak of a fruit fly from Udara which caused a big problem so it isn’t allowed on US soil.
Sadly.
And so it is that I enter the US sans a gift for a friend.
Hi kitchen butterfly , thank you for all your amazing insights into Nigerian hidden gems . Can you kindly share how you dry the agbalumo , can it be done in the oven please and do I need to add any preservatives please ?
Do you sell the fries udara that you bring across? If so, please email me.
No, I dont 🙂
Kitchen Butterfly, I am really glad to run into your post. I am very passionate about agdalumo and it’s use. I get the impression you might be fascinated with this fruit as well. Especially since you have dried it, as I have also a few times.
I would really love to chat with you more about your experience with this fruit. If you do not mind communicating, feel free to contact me at jgrenly@excite.com
Thanks
I didn’t know that was even an option or I would have dried some too 🙁 At least I ate some agbalumo thanks to your posts – they reminded me to look for it.
I had to give up my kilishi. Do you know how I can recreate it?
Ahh, glad you tried.
I have a recipe for Kilishi – it involves sun drying but I’m positive you can do it at low temperature in the oven. Can you wait a week or so, till I’m back home and I can share?
Stay well