Fruit prep
Fresh coconut
Drain the water, crack along the equator, prise out the flesh.
IntermediateCoconut
Crack and grate
Find the softest of the three 'eyes' and pierce it with a skewer or corkscrew; drain the water into a jug.
Hold the coconut in a towel and tap firmly around its middle with the spine of a heavy knife or a hammer, turning it, until it cracks in half.
Prise the flesh out with a butter knife, or warm the halves in the oven briefly to loosen it.
Peel off the brown skin if you want white flesh, then grate or blend.
Tips
- Grated fresh coconut freezes well in portions.
Safety
- Never hold the coconut in your hand while striking it — rest it on a folded towel.