Custard Apple Shake

Growing up, the appearance of custard apples scared me. Dad loves them and would often bring them home for me as a kid. The name intrigued me. The term custard was very appealing to me as a child but the prehistoric looking jade outer and the big black seeds held within really freaked me out. I don't know why, it just did. 

They aren't the most attractive looking fruit, and unless someone points one out to you, you are most likely to pass them by at the fruit shop.

Grown in sub tropical climates, there are two types of custard apples - both of which are available to here in Australia. The Pink Mammoth is as it's name suggests - Massive! it has a softer flesh and can weigh up to 3kg. The African Pride are a medium sized variety and are on average between 500-800g each, presenting a firmer type of flesh. Both varieties are juicy, sweet and full of flavour. As a general rule, custard apples ripen very quickly so it's best to purchase them when they are firm and eat when soft to the touch - much like an avocado.

As an adult, I have become quite accustomed to these once 'scary' looking fruit. They have a creamy, velvety texture which makes them the perfect for use in dessert dishes. They have a consistency that is similar to a pear with a creamy-like custard taste.

These amazing fruit are low GI and packed with Vitamin C, protein, minerals and fibre. They are also low in fat too :)

As a general rule, the custard apple pairs really well with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, orange and honey flavours. For today's recipe I wanted to show you the most simple way to enjoy this delicious fruit - A luscious Custard Apple Shake.

Custard Apple Shake

An original recipe by The Food Mentalist

Serves 2

* To open the custard apple place your thumbs in the the indent where the stem joins the fruit and gently pull the fruit apart in quarters or segments, discarding the smooth black seeds.

Ingredients
1 cup of custard apple flesh (Approximately 1-2 custard apples depending on size)*
2 scoops of good vanilla ice cream ( we used Connoisseur Classic Vanilla)
1 tsp honey
2 cups low fat milk
Nutmeg

Method
Tease out flesh from the custard apple discarding skin and black seeds.
Place flesh into blender along with ice cream, milk and honey and whizz until frothy.
Pour into two tall glasses and sprinkle generously with nutmeg,

This shake is SO good!

Enjoy x

For additional Information on Custard Apples please visit www.custardapple.com.au

The Food Mentalist enjoyed this season's Custard Apples courtesy of Impact Communications