Halloween is just around the corner, and the exotic Kiwano is custom-made for some seriously spooky, candy-free Halloween treats.
“They’re spiky and they’re kooky…mysterious and spooky…altogether fruity…”
Now we’ve got the Addams Family theme tune stuck in your head, let’s talk Halloween. Traditionally a time for excessive sugar consumption, we know a few of you might be on the hunt for treats that look freaky without, well, turning your kids into actual freaks.
Spiky and bright orange on the outside, the Kiwano ticks the “scary looks” box for kids to be sold on the idea of a candy-free Halloween treat. But it’s not just the outside that makes this fruit so delightfully frightful. Inside the skin is a refreshingly fruity green pulp, which has the consistency of a loose jello. It looks amazing layered in a glass with yogurt, or you can strain off the seeds to create a green “monster” juice.
The pulp inside the Kiwano is the edible part – you can eat the skin, but it doesn’t have much flavour (and if you do, make sure to cut off the spikes first!). That said, don’t throw it away! What’s great about the Kiwano skin is that it’s robust enough to use as a vessel or bowl for spooky drinks, dips, fruit salads, jello or ice cream (just scoop out the pulp first).
What does it taste like?
The taste of Kiwano is also very on-theme in being rather mysterious! It’s a light, fresh, subtly fruity flavour. The best description we’ve come up with is a mix of just-ripe banana, lime and passionfruit. Some people say they can taste hints of kiwi, green grapes or lemon. It pairs well with the other exotic and tropical fruits – think bananas, pineapples, mango, lime, coconut.
The antidote to Halloween sugar crash
Kiwano’s health benefits help to balance out all the sugar that, we’ll admit, is just part and parcel of traditional Halloween fun. At only 3.8g of natural sugars per 100gm, Kiwano is much lower in natural sugars than other fruits such as watermelon, apples and oranges. It’s a good source of calming magnesium, muscle-building potassium and dietary fiber (which helps to keep bowels regular). At around 90% water, Kiwano is also very hydrating.
To prepare your Kiwano:
Simply slice in half (either through the middle or lengthways). Using a spoon or a knife, insert several times into the green pulp to loosen it away from the skin. Holding it carefully between the spikes, squeeze the pulp into a bowl. To make Kiwano juice, either strain the pulp through a sieve or use a juicer.
5 of our favourite candy-free Halloween treats
Now you know how to prepare this Halloween-loving fruit, here are 5 spooky, kooky, fruity candy-free Halloween treats your kids will go bananas for.
1.Petrifying Kiwano & Yogurt Pots
Use small glass jars (or glasses will also do). Layer thick creamy plain Greek yogurt into the jar and top with Kiwano pulp. Leave as is, or sprinkle with muesli and a drizzle of honey.
2. Monstrous Kiwano Mocktail
Blend and then strain the pulp of one Kiwano to extract its juice. Add the Kiwano juice, juice of one lemon, 1Tablespoon of honey and ice to shaker, shake! Pour into a glass, top with sparkling water and garnish with a slice of Kiwano. Serves 2. This delicious concoction (and image) was originally created by talented food and wellness blogger @servingupsimplicity.
3. Terrifying Kiwano & Avocado Toast
This one is so easy, filling and incredibly healthy to boot. Mash 1 avocado. Spread generously on a slice of your favourite toast. Top with Kiwano pulp.
4. Creepy Kiwano Cheesecake (dairy and refined sugar-free)
This no-bake, vegan and deliciously creamy cheesecake takes a little more prep than the above snacks but is still very easy and uses nutrition-rich ingredients such as cashews, dates and coconut. Just requires a food processor and 20 minutes in the freezer. Find the full recipe on our website here.
5. Spooky Kiwano Jello Pots
Our easiest snack – this is simply the Kiwano pulp in a glass jar. Slice your Kiwano in half, squeeze out the pulp and you’re done. Serve with a spoon or a thick metal straw for slurping also works well. To make these extra spooky, serve in a scooped out half shell of a Kiwano.
We’d love to see your spooky creations! Share yours with us on Facebook or on Instagram with the hashtag #enzedexoticskiwano
