LounjeLounjePlan my week

Agbalumo Fruit Salad

Also known as Agbalumo Fruit Salad (African Star Apple Salad)

Agbalumo, known as Udara among the Igbo, is the African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) — one of the most cherished seasonal fruits in Nigeria. With its distinctive tart-sweet flavour, chewy flesh and milky white latex, Agbalumo is a beloved childhood snack across Nigeria.

Agbalumo Fruit Salad, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 10 to 12 ripe Agbalumo (African Star Apple), peeled and pulp extracted
  • Half a medium ripe mango, peeled and diced
  • 2 big slices of fresh pineapple, diced
  • 2 big slices of watermelon, deseeded and cubed
  • 2 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar — optional
  • The juice of 1 lime or lemon
  • A small handful of fresh mint leaves — optional garnish

Method

  1. 01

    Preparing the Agbalumo. Wash the Agbalumo thoroughly. Peel away the skin. Extract the pulp from around the seeds — the pulp is sticky, milky-white and intensely flavoured. Remove the seeds and any tough fibrous parts. Collect the pulp in a bowl.

  2. 02

    Preparing the Other Fruits. Peel, dice or cube all other fruits into bite-sized pieces. Work efficiently once cut — fruits oxidise quickly.

  3. 03

    Combining. In a large bowl, gently combine all the prepared fruits. Squeeze the lime juice over everything — this brightens the flavours and slows oxidation.

  4. 04

    Sweetening. Add honey or a pinch of sugar if desired. The Agbalumo is naturally tart so the honey balances the acidity. Taste and adjust.

  5. 05

    Chilling and Serving. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving. Serve in individual bowls garnished with fresh mint leaves.

More starters & appetisers