Rambutan
The leathery hairy skin of the rambutan is reddish and covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name rambutan, derived from the Malaysian word “rambut” which means “hairs”.
View Rambutan
Preparation
The peeled rambutan is occasionally stewed as dessert. In some countries a preserve is made by first boiling the peeled fruit to separate the flesh from the seeds. Seeds are boiled alone until soft. They are combined with the flesh and plenty of sugar for about before sealing the jar. The seeds are sometimes roasted and eaten. They should not be eaten raw.
Consumption
Rambutan is most commonly eaten out-of-hand after peeling off the husk. Be careful not to bite too deeply, the flesh might come away with the papery skin of the seed attached, and that is not rambutan at its best.
When to eat
The fruit is ripe when the skin has turned red. The "hairs" are allowed to be a bit dark coloured.