We've all seen the jack-o-lantern vomiting pumpkin seeds and guacamole, but what about the green slime of a kiwano?
Below are five healthy Halloween hacks using exotic fruits and vitamins. These hacks will get both kids and adults engaged in trying new foods that are not only fun conversation starters, but healthy snacks as well.
frieda's
frieda's is an LA-based company whose mission is to share new fruit and vegetable experiences with everyone from chefs to foodies to moms.
At a conference session sponsored by frieda's, I was able to try new exotic fruits I never had before. Not only did I love their taste, but I also found foods to spook up my Halloween diet this year. As frieda's quips on their website, "Why should candy have all the fun?" I have no financial connection with frieda's, but as an RD I share the values of:
trying new foods
incorporating the rainbow of fruits and vegetables into our diets to prevent nutrient deficiencies
and most importantly, learning new DIY Halloween hacks each year!!
Let's get straight to it.
Healthy Halloween Hack #1: Kiwano Green Slime
A kiwano, also known as a horned melon, is yellow on the outside with spiky points. As if this didn't fit the Halloween mold alone with its torturous exterior, once you cut into it, the fruit reveals a lime green pulp. The exotic produce queens at frieda's said you can use the pulp much like you would guacamole as vomit for a jack-o-lantern. I would love to see photos of this in practice, or incorporating the "green slime" into any other Halloween projects you come up with!
Healthy Halloween Hack #2: Rambutan Eyeballs
Like the spiky rind of the kiwano, the rambutan fruit has one of the most unusual shells ever seen on a fruit. With red "hairs" protruding from the peel-able rind, the rambutan can be put on display as is, or if you use your nails to remove the rind, you'll find sweet pulp inside that resembles eyeballs. Place the pulp on a plate and either use strawberry puree in a piping bag to draw the eye's blood vessels, or simply use a toothpick to attach a small raspberry or blueberry for a pupil.
Healthy Halloween Hack #3: Dragonfruit Eyeballs
If you can't get rambutan in your local grocery store, chances are you will be able to find dragonfruit. To create dragon eyes, slice the dragonfruit in half. Use a melon baller to scoop out an "eyeball." Then, use a toothpick to attach a blueberry for the iris. You can add a mint leaf to the bottom for the dragon skin.
Healthy Halloween Hack #4: B12 Glow-in-the-Dark Potion
If you have a B vitamin available- B complex, B2 (riboflavin), or B12- you don't even need to leave the house for this Halloween hack. Simply crush the vitamin in a bowl and add water. Typically you only need 1 vitamin per 1 gallon of water, but if you want to have multiple potion bottles, you may need more than one vitamin tablet. If you have a black light, the bright yellow liquid really glows bright! And yes- you can drink this non-toxic potion.
Healthy Halloween Hack #5: Watermelon Carvings
Who needs pumpkin when you can carve watermelon?
The National Watermelon Promotion Board has some juicy carvings for Halloween. They also have easy-to-follow instructions for first-time carvers.
The best part is eating the watermelon flesh while you work. Watermelon has vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, thiamin, phosphorus, and lots of hydration. There are also 10 grams of protein in one ounce of sprouted, shelled and dried watermelon seeds! (1)
Here's a recipe for the watermelon flesh.
Where to Buy Exotic Fruits for Your Halloween Hacks
This blog offers some unusual fruits that may not be found in your everyday grocery store, but you can either buy them online or you can type in your zipcode to frieda's website and they'll tell you exactly which stores in your neighborhood carry kiwano, rambutan, and dragonfruit. Often they'll be found at Whole Foods, Target, and Trader Joe's.
We'd love to see your creations. Please share your photos on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ZESTNutritionService or tag us on Instagram: @zest.nutrition