Tropical Fruit for the Observant: Timun Suri

The day Ramadan began, a large yellow fruit popped up in the compound grocery store. This fruit, known as Timun Suri in Indonesia, or Cucumber Suri or Tropical Yellow Cucumber, has a special significance here in that it is one of the most common foods used by the observant to break their daily fast during this holy month.

The timun suri is a wise choice for this purpose as its high moisture content helps mitigate the effects of the dehydration that can result from fasting. Additionally the timun suri is extremely nutritious, loaded with antioxidants and an array of nutrients to help reinvigorate and renew. The timun suri is in the pumpkin family, though it possesses the attributes of a melon.  The one I purchased tasted like a bland version of a honeydew melon, but I may have chosen one that wasn't fully ripe. Usually I don't purchase melons and gourds that don't have a firm texture, but I will make an exception next time to see if I can choose a sweeter timun suri. Or maybe I am just an American whose taste buds are too demanding of that which is sweet.






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