Tropical Treat

With such avast area of fruit-producing lands within the tropics, Australians are blessed with a year-round variety of fresh fruits that are both nutritious and deliciously sweet. Pawpaws and bananas are available continuously and are valuable sources of potassium, the nerve and muscle nourisher and water-retention regulator, and high-energy fructose. Mangoes are also high in potassium, as well as being excellent sources of vitamins A and C. As mangoes are only available during summer, suitable alternatives are custard apples and persimmons, both of which are fibre-rich. And custard apples are even higher in potassium than bananas. The best dates are imported from California and are similarly high in potassium, as well as in iron, niacin, fibre and fructose. This fruit salad is, therefore, ideal for active, busy people.

Ingredients

 * ½ medium (or 1 small) pawpaw
 * 1 large (or 2 small) mango
 * 1 large (or 2 small) banana
 * 150 g sun-dried dates

Preparation

 * 1) Peel and dice the fresh fruit.
 * 2) Remove the seeds and cut the dates into small pieces (quarters or sixths).
 * 3) Put all the fruit in a serving bowl, mix and serve immediately.

Alterntives

 * 1) Persimmons or custard apple instead of mango.
 * 2) Raisins, sultanas or diced sun-dried figs instead of dates.

To serve
This is an ideal midday meal for busy people. Prepare it only as required and do not refrigerate (to avoid oxidation and discolouration). Serves 2.