I was at the Bukit Gantang Highway stop at night. My eyes tricked me into seeing sweet potatoes by the bundle!
So, I asked the Malay chap where these ‘ubi keledek’ (sweet potatoes) come from. He went, Huh? Mana ada ubi keledek?
On second look, I realised that those are some scaly, red coloured fruits call buah salak. We had a good laugh.
A closer look. (A kg goes for RM8.)
I did not buy the buah salak as they look really ‘untouchable’ with their sharp, thorny scales. However, the stall owner offered me a taste of it and peeled it for me.
Verdict – The fruit tastes like unripen bananas minus the mush. It is dry and firm with a hint of sweetness. Hence, the banana in snake skin title.
This blog by Bin Gregory has given some excellent sites related to buah salak. Apparently, many people love buah salak. I guess
Hahaha, ubi keledek! I forgive you, Lilian. Mlm kan, tak berapa nampak. I took photos of them too during the fasting month. Besides its Latin/scientific name Salacca, it’s also known as snake fruit.
This is the first time I saw that. Can we get that in Penang?
Suprisingly,its great with the penang rojak sauce. Eat it with pineapple, tofu, jicama (seng kuang), etc.
I think buah salak has acquired taste. The ones from Indonesia are sweet.
I only eat those from my Dad’s orchard. 😛
Lilian,
Those buah salak are so beautiful, slimmer than buah salak we ate in Medan. During a family vacation 13 years ago, I ate buah salak until my stomach hurt. Before we left Medan, I bought two basketfuls of buah salak. I like them. They’re sweet and a litte bitter lingered on the tongue. Love your pics.
anyho, I would like to wish you a prosperous and abundance New Year.
hi.. i love reading your blog esp. when your entries are about foods. Apparently, I have love affair with foods hehe ;)… By the way, just to let you know.. “jeruk salak” taste sooo good.
Came across your blog when I googled about buah salak, me wanting to write about buah salak also in my blog 😉