Custard Apple Lollies!

Yesterday was the first really warm and sunny spring day of the year. And of course, that means...Ice Cream!

Custard apples are one of my favourite fruit..but the de-seeding is always a nightmare. There is, fortunately, a easier way to remove the seed - especially if you do not mind the pulp really being crushed to a pulp :-) And it becomes even easier if someone else (in this case my husband) takes on the job of deseeding the custard apples.

The recipe is without added sugar, as both the custard apples as well as the condensed milk are sweet. Of course, if you have a very sweet tooth, you may add a bit more.

Ingredients

2 - custard apple, medium size

500 ml - milk

150 ml - sweetened condensed milk

Method

1. Discard the custard apple skin, and add the pieces in a jar. Adjust the egg beater/ whisk in a hand mixer and beat the custard apple lightly, a couple of times. This will help in  removing the seeds. Discard the seeds and puree the rest.
2. Boil milk in a heavy bottomed pan, reduce the heat and simmer till it reduces to half of the  original quantity. Let it cool for 5 minutes. Add condensed milk and retransfer to heat and simmer on a reduce heat for 2 - 3 minutes. Let it cool for 3-4 minutes. Add custard apple puree and mix well.
3. When the mixture cools, keep in the deep freezer to half set.
4. Process the half set mixture in a food- processor. Fill in any mould/bowl, cover it and return to the freezer and let it freeze overnight.
5. Unmould and serve. 

Serves  6

The ice cream was so soft and rich, it just melted in the mouth. And it reminded me of another of my favourite Kolkata street food - Kulfi.


I got a lot of queries regarding the source of custard apples in this season. At this time of the year, Spanish and Vietnamese custard apples are available. I got mine from the Viktualienmarkt (in Munich, Germany) - this is a traditional bavarian market for, as the name says, "victuals" and has a number of shops selling exotic fruit and vegetables (as well as exotic meats and fishes and cheeses and other specialities) throughout the year.

Enjoy!