Kiwi

I had a Kiwi this morning!  Okay, it's not the most exciting news that you are going to hear today but following is some good info!

Kiwifruit has a history just as unusual as its appearance.  Kiwi was discovered in ancient China.  It grows on vines like grapes.  By the mid 1800's Kiwi was known as Chinese gooseberry.  The fruit arrived in California in the 1960's and was named "Kiwifruit"  because it was imported from New Zealand.
Okay, let's get to the really important part!
Kiwi is low in calories and naturally fat free.  Kiwifruit offers:

•  Two and a half times the recommended daily allowance of immune system booster vitamin C.
• More fiber (in two Kiwis) than a bowl of bran cereal.
• More potassium than a banana.
• Nearly 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance of folate, a nutrient vital to fetal development and maternal health before, during and after pregnancy.  (this one we will tell our children about!)
• Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that is found in just a handful of fat-free sources like Kiwifruit.

Kiwifruit is great in salads, pies, smoothies, cocktails, etc.  I love just cutting it open and scooping it out with a spoon.  

Like many fruits Kiwi comes in varying stages of ripeness.  If you will be eating your kiwifruit after three or more days, choose fruit that are firm to the touch.  If you plan to eat them in just a day or two, select softer fruit.  If you want to eat your Kiwifruit right away, choose ones that give easily when gently pressed.  These little fuzzy fruits are so good for you!

some of this info was taken from "Long Island Trends", edition 410