It's currently May here in Cartagena and there's a whole new batch of tropical fruit loading up the vendors' carts. The mamoncillo is a particular fave. You'll find the branches of firm green balls tied together with string. They cost about 1,000 pesos or 50cents for a decent-sized bag. To eat, crack the middle of the shell-like skin open using your teeth or nails (or a knife if you're that way inclined). The top "lid" will slide off and you'll be able to suck out the tangy fruit inside. Apparently the juice of the mamoncillo can temporarily stain your skin and clothes.. but I haven't experienced any problems using the above technique. It kindof resembles a lychee or longan. Before I knew what this fruit was called, I christened it Fruity Gobstopper because you need to suck the tangy, creamy fruity goodness away from the giant seed inside, giving you that gobstopper-like bulge in your cheek while you do. A single mamoncillo can last you for an hour! As far as I know, "mamon" is another word for "suck" (be very careful using this word in polite company), so fruity gobstopper seems totally apt.
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