Donna Schakelaar wrote:
Apples and oranges are extremely boring.

I want to try exotic fruits and vegetables, like black sapote, taro,
durian,
and lychees.


Taro is a tuber, not a fruit; it grows into a plant like elephant
ears. You can get it at HEB or Fiesta. You'll find oranges much more
exciting, imo. When cooked into poi, it's pretty bland and starchy.
Mmm...
http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/poi.jpg

While I can't comment on where to find taro etc in your area [although
if you are ever in my neck of the woods, these exotic fruit and
vegetables are the norm], I suggest checking out the local Cypriot
population. For some reason they use quite a bit of taro.

Houston has a Cypriot population, but Rubystars lives way out on the
outskirts of town. I didn't know they used much taro. I know Mexicans
and Central Americans do, which is why I listed Fiesta and suggested
Mexican markets below.

Black sapote (sapote negro) is like a persimmon. You can find them at
Mexican markets, but you'll probably face the same problem you're
having at HEB. Lychees are usually available fresh (and always
available canned in syrup) at Asian markets; I've only seen them once
at HEB. You can sometimes get them at Mexican markets. Same with
durians. I often see both at Asian supermarkets if I pay attention.

Black sapote icecream! One of my favourites!

That's lovely. It's also commonly used as a filling for Mexican
pastries, with lots of cinnamon blended into the pulp, and in smoothies
(again, with cinnamon). The Guatemalans ferment it and make a liqueur.

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