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One enjoyable part of my research on native foods and culture has been the opportunity to try exotic (at least to me) fruits and vegetables. On a recent trip to El Valle, a cozy mountain town nestled inside a volcanic crater, I stumbled upon a new favorite: Pixbae or Peach Palm.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon, meandering through the local crafts market, I detoured off into the produce section of the pavilion. On the advice of fellow intern, Alana Armstrong, I bought a bag of these funny little fruits, which are drupes, for a mere $0.25. They are frequently boiled in salt water, a similar method used to make boiled peanuts in the American South, and have a soft skin that can easily be peeled off. I discovered that the meat of these quarter-sized fruits had a fantastically rich flavor and texture that hovered somewhere between artichoke heart, boiled peanut and potato. Not only are they scrumptious, but incredibly nutritious as well. As the most balanced and nourishing tropical fruit, it is known as the “noble Panamanian fruit,” and here are a few reasons why:

-92% of its skin, pulp and seed are usable.

-It contains more protein than an avocado, and twice the amount found in a banana

-A nutritional value comparable to the hen’s egg but without the cholesterol

-Can be eaten with honey, used to make compotes and jellies, or made into flour and edible oil.

-Rich in fiber, contains Vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin (excellent for the blood), niacin (very good supplement to keep good eyesight), ascorbic acid, calcium and other nutrients.

I found them so delicious that I ended up buying two bags to take home to the city. Interestingly, this week while I was eating at local hotspot, Crepes y Waffles, I noticed that Pixbae had been incorporated into their delicious salad bar as a cold marinated topping or side dish. For a foodie like me, finding a new and versatile favorite is a rarity, and it’s discoveries like pixbae that keep me excited to seek more here in Panama.

Photo Credits:

Home page image:

Villian, Jackie.  http://photos.linternaute.com/photo/811636/3041803241/1234/parepous-bactris-gasipaes/

Detailed Image: http://www.xiongdudu.com/photo/Peachpalm