WHAT IS CHAKOTARA? POMELO, SHADDOCK, CITRUS GRANDIS/MAXIMA: CHAKOTARA FRUIT SALAD RECIPE

CHAKOTARA, POMELO, SHADDOCK, CITRUS GRANDIS/MAXIMA

Chakotara is the Urdu names for the pomelo or shaddock, it might also be known as The Forbidden Fruit according to some writers. The botany world seems undecided about the Latin name for this fruit, but it’s either Citrus Maxima or Citrus grandis. It is called shaddock after a captain of the same name who took the seeds from Malaysia to the West Indies in the 17th century where it now flourishes.

Pomelo is believed to be the ancestor of the grapefruit, and it is like a grapefruit, except that it’s sweeter. Its flesh ranges from a pale yellow to a ruby red and when I first had it I was surprised to find red flesh in a yellowy-green skin. Apparently it is known for its thick skin, and the fact that one fruit can grow to 10 kg in weight, and be up to 30cms in diameter. That is why it’s called Citrus maxima and grandis, because it’s the biggest of all the citrus fruits.

The seeds of the fruit are made into grapefruit oil which is antimicrobial and antioxidant in nature. The oil can be used for cleaning purposes and will remove fungus and clean kitchen surfaces well. It can also be used safely on pets with skin problems and will eradicate fleas etc. It can also be used as an insecticide for garden plants quite safely.

In North Vietnam the flowers are gathered and used in perfume and a decoction of the leaves, flowers and rind is used in the Philippines and South East Asia as a sedative and to help in cases of epilepsy and convulsive coughing.

In Pakistan and India it is used to relieve coughs, fevers and stomach disorders, as the juice is a mild laxative which will cure constipation problems. It is alkaline in nature and so is useful in the digestive system as it rids it of unnecessary acids without getting rid of the bacteria we need in our guts. It is also used in genitor-urinary disorders, so may help cystitis sufferers. The crushed leaves are sometimes added to bath water for their aroma.

The oil from the seeds can also help wounds heal and scars will virtually disappear if it is used on them.

Along with pineapple juice the juice of sweet lemons and sweet oranges, it can help in arthritis by dissolving deposits around the joints.

Like all citrus fruits it has lots of vitamin C which helps the body produce collagen, a substance which is present in the connective skin tissues of the body. This is believed to prevent skin ageing and can help smooth wrinkles. It also has a high calcium content and calcium is necessary for healthy bones. It has an antioxidising effect on the eye lens and this helps stop cataracts forming.

A high Vitamin C content in a nutrient–rich diet is able to improve cognition functions in the elderly too. Perhaps best of all, citrus fruits are “happy” fruits as they are high in folate, which is important to the production of serotonin, which gives rise to a better mood and frame of mind. So with this in mind, try our Citrus Fruit Salad.





CITRUS FRUIT SALAD

Ingredients

1 pomelo, peeled and cut into segments, flesh only

1 sweet orange, peeled and cut into segments, flesh only

1 grapefruit, peeled and cut into segments, flesh only

1 head of lettuce, shredded

½ bunch spring onions finely chopped

1 small cucumber, peeled and finely sliced

1 handful of borage leaves, torn or lavender flowers, fresh

1 small pot natural yoghurt



Method

Put lettuce into a serving bowl and arrange the fruit, cucumber and spring onions over it.

Mix the borage leaves or lavender flowers in the yoghurt and pour over the salad.

Put in fridge for ½ hour and serve chilled.

This has Taste and is a Treat.