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MAMEY SAPOTE

First, the confusing part. There are a many fruits which may be called simply 'sapote' or 'sapota' in produce markets.  There is also the White Sapote, Yellow Sapote, Green Sapote, Black Sapote, etc.  Most of these fruits have nothing in common, other than the fact that they originated in tropical America. The word 'Sapote' from the ancient word 'tzapotl' ('zapote' in Modern Mexican) simply means 'soft fruit.'  So do not drop the modifying color or, in this case 'Mamey', from the name.

The Mamey Sapote (Pouteria sapota) is highly prized in Cuba. The mamey sapote is a large tree, and its egg shaped fruits are 3 to 6 inches long. They have a brown woody cover, with pink to deep salmon flesh and one large seed. They are used fresh, in tropical shakes, ice cream, daiquiris and other beverages.

Photo by Chef James, taken at Fruit & Spice Park, Homestead, FL