Fruit chaat in India means using ripe guavas, soft chickoos and sweet limes. For those of you unfamiliar with these fruits, the above named are common as apples and bananas. So when in India, do as they do. Use local fruit and you have a zesty salad or side.
Cut the guavas carefully. You dont want to use the knobbly hard seeds. Keep the skin on and use as much seedless pulp as you can. Chickoos can be peeled, divested of the large seed and chopped into chunks. Sweet limes are like naval oranges. Cut them into skinless segments. Other fruit could be added. Apples, oranges, bananas are part of the mix. and of course you need chaat masala. And a squeeze of lime.
FRUIT CHAAT
Serves 4-5 as a side
1 large ripe Guava
1 Chickoo or Sapodilla
1 Orange
1 Banana
1 teaspoon Chaat masala
A pinch of Kosher Salt
1/2 Lime
Wash guava well. Pat dry. Do not peel the guava. Cut carefully around the hard inner seeds. Cut guava into 1/2 inch pieces. Place pieces in a bowl.
Peel sweet limes. Cut the flesh into skinless segments. Add pieces to bowl.
Do the same for the orange.
Peel chickoo. Remove black seed. Cut chickoo into small pieces. Add to the bowl.
Slice the banana and add to the other fruit.
Sprinkle chaat masala over fruit.
Add salt and a squeeze of lime.
Cover bowl and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.
Mix fruit before serving.
Serve cold.
Fruit chaat is a light addition to any meal. Make an effort to find these exotic fruits and your palate will be amply rewarded.
