Hidden Elixir

A one-stop medicine shop, amrakh can be the wow factor in homemade pickles and chutneys.

- Vibha Varshney

TANGY, LUSCIOUS and irresistible. This is how I remember amrakh, or Averrhoa carambola that I relished as a child. The juicy green star fruit, named so for its shape, would always find its way to the vendor’s basket along with tamarind, guavas and ber. It is now common in upscale markets where it is often used to garnish sweet potato chaat.

In Delhi, star fruit used to be cultivated in Shalimar Bagh, a garden built in the northern part of the city by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. Shalimar Bagh was once home to several mango, guava, ber and star fruit trees. These were given on lease for fruit collection. Only a few of these exist now due to water shortage and encroachments. Their yield has reduced and there are not many takers.