Five Finger Chow: A delicious and nutritious snack

The Carambola tree was loaded, and so it was time for a five finger chow. Ok! since we picked so much five finger (a whole bag!) we decided to make some chow with a few.  Actually, just three because they were very BIG and my mother wanted to save some for another recipe that’s Oh..so..wonderful; more on that later.

An Exotic Fruit To Make a Chow

The carambola fruit or star fruit is called by that name because it makes a perfect five-pointed star when sliced.  It is a good source of vitamin c and potassium and thus makes a delicious and nutritious chow.  It is also popular in many other cuisines.  It also makes a great juice.

As usual we have the ever popular chadon beni in this recipe because a chow is not really a chow if you don’t have chadon beni in it. Ask any Trini. I left the salt and pepper to taste, because we all have our threshold for pepper. Mine might be a little higher ……..or lower ….than some of you 🙂 .  So here’s another simple trini recipe for you all to enjoy. Here’s Five finger Chow.

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Trini Five Finger Chow Recipe

FIVE FINGER CHOW

Ingredients:

3 large five fingers (carambola)
6 leaves chadon beni
3 cloves garlic
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Direction:

Before we begin I just wanted to show you all how large the five finger (carambola) we picked were. One could fit in the palm of my hand!

Wash and cut up the five finger. Add salt and pepper.

Add the grated chadon beni and garlic.

Toss the ingredients.

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Did You Know?

Five finger is used as a home remedy for eczema,  hangover, and sunstroke.

Also, if you have kidney problems it would be best to avoid eating five fingers.  The oxalic acid in five finger can cause vomiting, nausea,  hiccups and mental confusion (Source).

Well, by now you’re supposed to be munching down on some spicy five finger slices. Or at least imagining that you’re enjoying some of this chow. Salivating as yet? Ah gone with dat one! 😀