Last Fall I discovered Hardy Kiwis at the West Seattle Farmer’s Market. At first glance, they looked like olives so I was a little skeptical. When you bite into them (no need to scoop, just pop ’em in) they are just as sweet and juicy as a kiwi. The only bummer was I never saw my Hardy Kiwi man again.

 

2 weeks ago I lucked out and the Hardy Kiwis were back! They seem to only be around once a year in October, so if you see this stand, pick a batch up. I brought some to work and when my co-workers cut them open, the reaction was “awww”.

I’m striking out on other ways to try Hardy Kiwis, so the best options for my readers are to wait for the West Seattle Farmer’s Market in October of 2013, or to purchase a plant. They sell the plants here:
http://www.burpee.com/

I just shot a role on a TV show in the Bay area and got the chance to hang at my mom’s house in the Greenhaven neighborhood of Sacramento. I have memories of eating the petals off the fruits in the Spring before they grow. Luckily for me, mom’s fruit tree was in full bloom. Feijoa has a similar flavor to guava, but it’s texture is grittier and it’s more fragrant. To eat it, cut the fruit in half and scoop out the pulp, the same way as a kiwi. It grows rapidly in New Zealand but also grows in California, and regions in Texas to Florida.  If I could bottle it and create a perfume I would. I’ve never seen it sold in grocery stores, but I found them sold here:
http://www.buyexoticfruits.com/feijoa.html

Luckily, mom is shipping some up to me so I can have a taste of New Zealand in the PNW.