Custard apple

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Also known as:
Saripha, kul appil, Sita phalamu.

Description:
The compound fruit may be symmetrically heart-shaped, lopsided, or irregular, or nearly round, or oblate, with a deep or shallow depression at the base. There is a thick, cream-white layer of custard like, somewhat granular, flesh beneath the skin.

Commonly used in:
The flesh may be scooped from the skin and eaten as is or served with light cream and a sprinkling of sugar. Often it is pressed through a sieve and added to milk shakes, custards or ice cream. I can also be made into a delicious sauce for cake and puddings by blending the seeded flesh with mashed banana and a little cream.

Health benefits:
The unripe fruit is rich in tannin; is dried, pulverized and employed against diarrhea and dysentery.