18th Nov 2006 In our parking area this evening I saw this flower. It is the fruit of the delicious monster. It defies all odds, it faces the wind, gets a lot of sun, has a scattered water pattern. The parent plant gets the odd bit of oil, car shampoo, dishwalah probably and a dash of handiandi. Click on the pics below to see where it lives. Isn't life incredible... Ja Boet... martin@martins.co.za   Index

WARNING: Before you are seduced, as I was, by the Gardening Books that tell you that the centre fruit is delicious and tastes like pineapple, find out a bit more. I burnt the interior of my mouth severely. Badly ! Couldn't smoke for an hour. Walked around with a mouthful of milk for SIX hours. Eina and Ouch.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstera_deliciosa

Quote: Eating the immature fruit which has not matured and still has the kernels firmly attached, exposes the throat to the oxalic acid and is dangerous.
 

The fruit may be ripened by cutting the fruit when the first scales begin to lift up and the fruit begins to exude a pungent odour, then wrapping in a paper bag and setting aside until the kernels begin popping off. The kernels are then brushed off; they fall away to reveal the edible flesh underneath. The custard-like flesh is then cut away from the core and eaten. It has a delicious fruity taste similar to jackfruit and pineapple. Unlike some other exotic fruits such as the Durian, there is no acquired taste and people enjoy it immediately.