Lychee Fruit

Before last night I'd only had canned lychee fruit by way of my favourite martini.  When I saw them at the grocery store I thought I'd give them a try.  They remind me of sonic the hedge hog, when he's all balled up.  They're pink and prickly outside, inside they look like an eyeball without an iris. 

You open them by sticking your thumb nail in right below the stem and peeling away the skin.  Then tear in one spot and remove the pit.  Roll it back into shape to serve.

 

The flavour is floral and sweet, a little bit like honey.  The texture is different than anything I have experienced.  It is something like a grape but more dense and rubbery with a thin harder layer where the pit was.  Hmm, that doesn't sound very appetizing.  Trust me they're delicious and apparently full of vitamin C.  Although I will continue to eat them soaked in vodka, from now on I'll also be eating them fresh.

Epicurious has several lychee recipes, including one for martinis!