Scales on scales

Looking for something a little different? Keep an eye out for round green fruits with armadillo-like skin. These scaly looking things are cherimoyas, native to South America but grown in California since the late 1800s. Also known as custard apples, cherimoyas are creamy white inside with inedible black seeds. Choose fruits that give a little, like a ripe mango. Slice them in half and scoop out the sweet vanilla-scented flesh with a spoon. Pureed cherimoya makes a delicious tropical sorbet, or you can freeze halved fruits and eat them as is.