Coconut finds

The most obvious fruit to forage in the Florida Keys are coconuts. This Pacific invader is one of many plants that have taken their place in the landscape as part of the tropical vibe. In fact, they and their palm tree relatives take the place of the bags of grass and leaves that non-composting Northerners leave by the curb. And alongside these long, fibrous fronds from these trees often sit coconuts.

Stealthily, I first shake these discarded fruits to ensure they are filled with liquid before stealing away with one. I make my way back home.

Showing Juana my find, she says, “You need a machete to open it.” I see an old one in the shed of my landlord and before you can say ‘margarita’ I am flailing away trying to cut off one of its ends. Unfortunately, the tool is as dull as I when it comes to opening coconuts and little is removed from the outer husk.

I substitute a pruning saw for the machete and fair better, able to remove the husk from both ends of the coconut. Once I start to remove the husk at an angle, it peels away more easily. Repeated blows and cuts with both tools slowly reveal the underlying shell. And then, magically, a cut reveals a perfectly round hole that a straw can fit through. I give it to Juana to take the first sip. She loves it.