Our tree is loaded with ripe Starfruit, or Five Finger, as it’s called locally. When I asked about ways to use the fruit, everyone on Bequia looked puzzled. “We make juice,” they all said. I knew to slice the fruit widthwise to decorate a green or fruit salad, but I wondered if it was possible to cook with it. I did a search on the internet and discovered many recipes, all for green or fruit salads. But I also discovered that I could make juice with very little effort at all. “Cut away any green parts from the fruit, roughly chop them and whirl in a blender with some water. Add lime juice and sugar to taste.”

I did all of that and found the fruit to be sweet enough that it didn’t require additional suger. The lime juice helped to cut through that bitter, sharp taste the fruit can have.

But the other thing I learned in my research was that Star Fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, is low fat, has naturally sodium and is cholesterol free. And that’s all right here, just a few steps from my house! More people on Bequia should eat Five Finger!