Chikoo Milk Shake

Chikoo/Sapota/Sapodilla is another popular, delicious tropical fruit. This small and humble fruit is so sweet, pulpy, filling, nutritious & healthy. Even though chikoo is rich in calories, its soft, easily digestible pulp composes of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly. Chikoo is a vital source of vitamins, minerals and has health benefiting antioxidants and tannins.

It is sad that its rich calorie content is highlighted than its health power. Chikoo is looked down upon by weight watchers and diet conscious people. It is a very good source of dietary fiber, has anti inflammatory properties. It helps in metabolic processes to ensure optimal good health and yet these vital benefits are overlooked.
I love to eat sweet, ripe chikoos and do include them in fruit salads but my hubby and children prefer milkshake and ice cream. If given an option to choose, I like to reach for fresh, seasonal fruits and prefer to eat them in their natural form.

We have an abundance of chikoos flooding the markets of Pune. To be healthy,it is always better to include fruits of the season in your regular diet. We relish milkshakes, ice creams and fruit salads, fruit pies, tarts, cakes, etc. throughout the year but make a conscious effort especially in summer.

Throughout summer we try and include fresh fruit milkshakes, juices to help us cope with the heat. This definitely keeps us fresh and healthy. My family is always in a rush in the mornings & fresh pulpy milkshakes come to our rescue whenever we skip breakfast. Pulpy fruit milkshakes are so very filling & definitely keeps up our energy levels.
Enjoy this refreshing Chikoo Milk Shake… 😀

Ingredients :

• 8 large ripe Chikoos (Sapota)
• 500 ml fresh chilled Milk (thick & creamy)
• Sugar/Honey to taste
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Essence
• 2 large scoops Vanilla/Chickoo Ice Cream (optional)
• Ice Cubes as needed

Procedure :
Wash, peel, deseed & roughly chop the ripe chickoos.
Place the chickoos and sugar & blend to a fine puree.
Pour in the chilled milk, essence, ice cream and blend again till the shake turns thick and frothy.
Pour into tall chilled glasses & serve immediately.
You may add ice cubes and a scoop of ice cream if you like.

Important Note :
Always select ripe chikoos for consumption as the raw sapodilla fruits are high in latex and tannins. They are intensely bitter in taste. Eating unripe fruits may cause mouth ulcers, itchy sensation in the throat and breathing difficulty , especially in children.