Young Coconut

by Shauna Sever — April 4, 2008

While browsing the produce section, have you ever wondered what those big, white hunks of something with the pointy tops wrapped in plastic are? You know, the ones next to the coconuts? Well, turns out they are coconuts, just a younger model of the brown, fuzzy ones we all readily recognize.

Inside that white husk is something that resembles its mature older sister, but inside that brown shell, the meat of a young coconut is far from being the shredding kind--it's soft, almost gelatinous, and has some of the most amazing health benefits of any fruit, veggie or seed available in the market, from its high mineral, fiber, and good fat content, to its restorative and medicinal properties.

To open the coconut, using a very large knife, carefully cut the softer outer shell away at the pointy end of the nut to reveal the hard, woody inner shell beneath. Gently chop around this hard inner shell making a circle around the top, and when you find a soft spot, carefully wedge the knife in, and pry it open. Keep the nut upright as you work to keep from spilling all the juice inside!

Though the festive look of a young coconut might immediately have you thinking of getting woozy on cocktails on a tropical island, try this energizing smoothie instead.

Young Coconut Smoothie
Serves 1

1 young coconut, meat scooped out and juice reserved
1 small banana, frozen
1/3 cup fresh pineapple, diced or canned, crushed pineapple in juice
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk or almond milk

Blend all ingredients until smooth.