a peek inside the fishbowl

First, you buy a coconut:

 

(Emma picked this out the last time we were at Farm Boy. Each kid was allowed to pick one healthy item. Emma picked the coconut, Sarah picked pistachio nuts.)

This is a good time to teach your kids how to pick a fresh coconut. Do the old shake and listen. If you can hear splashing inside it means the coconut is fresh. 

You children will think daddy is the most Amazing Person in the World for figuring out how to open said coconut.

Drink the milk over ice.

The white fleshy part of the coconut will pop away from the shell, but sometimes you will need the wedgy power of a butter knife.

Use a sharp veggie peeler to take off the brown “skin.” Give the kids some to taste and put the rest in the fridge.

Next day (or whenever you’re ready to try the recipe) bake the coconut in a 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Don’t forget to peel the brown stuff off! It’s edible, but a little tough.

Throw all your white peeled chunks in the food processor and chop and spin until the pieces are itty bitty. If you don’t have a food procesor you can also grate it fine.

Then, make this recipe.

The result was pretty darn good. If you like coconut macaroons, you’ll love this.