Coconut
“Coco,” meaning “monkey face,” was the name given to this tropical food by Spanish explorers because of the three pits on the bottom. But these pits are the key for opening the coconut successfully. Insert a screwdriver into the softest hole to drain the liquid into a bowl, and then use a strong knife and get it to find a way around the coconut’s seam. Give it a sharp “thwack” on a hard surface to break it into two pieces. Voilà!
Practically every part of the coconut has a use. The rough exterior shell of the coconut can be used to make ropes, mats, brushes, and sacks. Dried coconut meat can be used to produce coconut oil, which is used for cooking and cosmetic purposes. Coconut leaves can be used to make baskets, brooms, and roofing materials. The possibilities are endless.
