(I hope you’re not expecting anything deep today. This is a profoundly non-significant post.)
A couple of weeks ago, I tasted a delicacy that I’ve been waiting to make at home: Limonada de Coco (translate: Coconut Limeade). Since I absolutely love both coconut and lime, I researched this recipe and improvised (as I always do).
I mentioned to a friend who lives a few blocks away that I would like to get a coconut. She said she’d get one for me and came through on her promise. She dropped off a good-size coconut (bigger than I’ve seen at Service Food, that’s for sure) and I began the process of processing it (I told you this wasn’t going to be deep! I can hardly speak English anymore!).
I’ve “done coconuts” several times in my life, so it was nothing new. Make a hole, drain the water, crack the shell, remove it from the flesh, blend the flesh with the coconut water (and more water), drain and squeeze. A bit of a process (have I mentioned that word yet?) but nothing difficult.
The next step was to get my hands on some limes. Since we have one tree in the corner of our yard and it happens to be a lime tree, and lime trees here produce fruit all year ’round, this shouldn’t be too hard. Unfortunately, there are three enemies: Thorns (did you know lime trees are covered with thorns?), ants (the tiny ones that like limes and bite. hard.), and the water tank that is also in the corner of our yard.
Since I really like limes, I’ve already picked the bigger ones (there are little tiny marble ones but we’ve gotta have patience for those! 🙂 on the outside of the tree. That meant it was time for me to fight my way through thorny branches and random construction pieces the landlord has left to get to the back of the water tank. My efforts were rewarded by the discovery of 6 beautiful limes. Unfortunately the ants that were enjoying one of the limes did not appreciate my efforts and proceeded to bite me (or is it a sting? Not sure) several times on the inside of my left arm. Oh well… add to the mosquito bites, I guess!
I have to say, though, the limes and the coconut milk, along with some sugar and ice, produced a very delicious limonada de coco for me. It was worth it!