Debbie’s ‘One Word Sunday Challenge – Fruit‘ had me searching through my travel photos and this one taken in San Pedro Belize, came up first. It brought back memories of a sublime week spent there.
Is the coconut a fruit, a nut or a seed? Well, it’s actually classified by botanists as a Drupe which is a fleshy fruit containing a single nut or seed, so I guess it must be all three.
This very different photo of coconuts was taken on our morning walk around the neighbourhood here in Florida. It was garden trash day and these coconuts were on the sidewalk waiting for a ride to the dump. Such an ignominious end.
Coconuts always bring to mind funfairs visited as a child. The ‘Coconut Shy’ was a stall with a row of coconuts set upon wooden stands. You paid your three-pence and got three balls to aim at and try to dislodge them. If successful the coconuts were yours to take home. It wasn’t as easy as it looked, but I do remember that we occasionally did manage to get the prize. Once home again, my dad had to drill a hole in the end of the coconut to drain the milk into a jug, and then hit the thing with a hammer to break it. Not the most convenient fruit to get into, but it was lots of fun and delicious too.
Wishing you all a happy Sunday. It seems that hurricane ‘Isaias’ has passed us by with only a few hours of rain and wind to show for itself, for which I’m very grateful.
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Love coconut!!
Itβs so good for you.
Yesπ
I’m a big fan of coconut. I drink the water. The high potassium content is reason enough to drink it. I also loved coconut ice cream as a child though I don’t eat ice cream anymore I would even if it hurts my tummy. : )
I wish those people would have taken them to a food bank.
Glad all is well with the hurricane that passed through. Take good care. Wonderful photograph found along your walk. Be Safe … Isadora π
Thanks so much, Issy. π
All three! really? this is very interesting Sylvia
and your wonderful photos make it even more so!
Thanks so much for reading, Eddie. Glad you enjoyed the photos. π
I would have thought those seeds in trees were coconuts. Drupes do look very similar. Lovely to read your childhood memories of coconuts. You must have been a sharp shooter to nab a few coconuts. As a kid I loved drinking coconut juice out of the coconut with a straw. These were popular in Malaysia. These days I still love coconuts and love drinking coconut water, though it can be expensive here in Australia. Hope you are doing well, Sylvia. Have a good week ahead.
So good to see you again, Mabel. I believe that coconut milk is very good for you. I love the taste. My dad was from Indonesia, so he knew all about how to handle coconuts. π
It is good to see you too, Sylvia. Coconut milk is delicious, and I like it as well. I do prefer coconut water though as it’s lighter and also a great summer drink. Sounds like you had quite some coconut growing up π
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that about Isaias!
I also remember first time mom brought a coconut in the house! Quite an adventure opening it up! π
Happy Monday, Sylvia and week ahead! xoxoxoxoxo
Thanks so much, Marina. Oh yes, coconuts are quite a challenge to get into. π xxx
ππ€π
I never managed to knock one off π
It’s intentionally difficult, Derrick. π
Indeed. They are a mean lot.
That’s what I used to think too. π¦
I thought of you when we saw the hurricane on the TV news. Glad to know there was no damage.
Thanks, Carol. No, nothing to write home about. π
That’s good!
I love fresh coconut! Mexico and Hawaii were so great when I was there to enjoy that awesomeness, but if you try to get that sweetnesses out yourself duuuuuude. Thatβs rough. The drilling holes bit … YES! Good to stop by and check in. Hope youβre doing well. Stay safe!
Great to see your comment, TG. Now that you’ve mentioned Hawaii, I’m wishing I was there again. π
I love the entire vibe of that island!
Me too.
So interesting to see a post on the very own Coconut π
Being from the tropical Kerala, our life is closely connected to the coconut tree and the coconut itself.
Kerala is a small state at the South Western tip of India and it’s covered with coconut trees. Even the name ‘Kerala’ means the land of coconut trees.
Coconut tree is called ‘Kalpavriksha’ in Sanskrit language, means ‘a tree whose each and every part is useful for our day today life’.
Great to see that you have plenty of coconut trees in Florida and than you for sharing this nice little story with us, Sylvia π
Thanks so much for your interesting comment, Sreejith. I shouldn’t imagine that there’s much you don’t know about coconuts. π
I remember the coconut shy as well from trips to UK with my mom.
Glad to hear that the storm has gone past.
Thanks, Lynette, glad I could bring back some fond memories. π
I did not know that botanists classified coconuts as a Drupe. I continue to learn. Living in Canada, coconuts are found in our grocery stores. But as a child, I lived in Brazil where we had a coconut tree in our back yard. You have brought back wonderful memories to me. A great way to start my day, my dear friend.
Iβm so glad that my coconut post brought back great childhood memories for you, dear Rebecca.
Maybe a saw would work. You would have to catch the drips somehow.
Itβs best to pour out the coconut milk before attacking with a saw. π
That’s a good idea.
Coconuts are a pain to open, especially on a sailboat in the tropics. But so much deliciousness to be found when successful. π The coconut tree has many purposes for the local population anywhere. Fascinating natural product!
I can imagine, Liesbet. π Yes, all parts of the coconut are able to be used if one knows how.
You don’t want a coconut falling out the tree on your head.. π
This is very true, Lisa. Death by coconut is not ideal. π
Aw…I love the memories of your father drilling holes into the coconut for you, Sylvia. β€
Thanks, Jill. It was a hand drill too. π
Glad the hurricane passed you by. Coconuts always remind me of the Coconut Song… once it’s in your head, you can’t get it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsSuueEGQSM
I haven’t heard this one before, but I like it. I almost put this one in my post: Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjfAx_rbq6M
it was very popular in the 1950’s which is most probably before your time. π
Garden trash! π±
I know. π―
Your childhood memories of those shies chime with mine!
We must be of an age then. π
Perhaps…β50s vintage??
fun memories, Sylvia. baby coconuts are always a lovely treat when we visit the Phil. happy that hurricane βIsaiasβ didn’t cause any harm! happy weekend! π
Thanks, Lola. ‘Baby’ coconuts sound so cute. π
π₯°
I love coconut, and remember my father drilling holes in the end to get the milk, then taking a hammer or saw to it for the meat.
Glad you were unscathed by the storm!
Thanks, Lavinia. So, we have similar childhood memories. π
I remember those coconut stalls too. I liked winning them, but could never understand why. We just threw them away!
Good news about the hurricane, Sylvia. π
Happy Sunday!
Thanks, Tom. My mom would never throw anything away. If it was edible, we had to eat it. π
Yes, waste not want not π. None of us liked coconut back then. Even today it’s a bit tricky!
Great post. I remember the coconut shoes too, but was never pleased when we won as I didn’t like coconut!
Haha There’s just no pleasing some people. π The worst thing we won was a goldfish in a plastic bag, which my sister dropped on the way home. π―