Paternas or Cushines
Once again here is a picture by request. See, Edgar got jealous because Carmen obtained a couple photos of rellenitos as requested, so immediately Edgar mentioned the paternas which are only available in the coastal low lands of Southern Guatemala. Boy, I really go out of the way for you guys. 
Now, Edgar and the others Guatemalans will have to explain what this tropical fruit is, what kind of tree it grows on, about its taste and how paternas are eaten. Go for it!
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March 5th, 2008
aaahhh the cushines! I ate some on my last visit to Mazate!!! The trees they usually grow up are the shadow trees for trees with best coffe in the whole world!! You have to break the cushin in two and then rip off the cascara from the sides and then lift the “upper” side
the seeds are covered with something that looks like cotton (just like in the picture)
March 5th, 2008
Oh my God Paternas!!! mmmh I can still taste the flavor! Although I can’t explain it. Thanks for the memories!
March 6th, 2008
OMG - I loved these when I was little my mom would always buy me these as a treat - the only thing is - (it’s been so long) I do remember the fibers sometimes (like a mango or corn) get stuck in your teeth, but this is the ultimate snack, portable, healthy and yummy.
March 6th, 2008
But careful, you have to eat just the white “cottonish” “meat” don’t eat the black seed. Nice pic.
March 11th, 2008
Hello People!
Thank you Rudy, this was a real treat my brother! Now, since you went all the way down to “el mercado” to try “paternas”, here are my two cents. To clarify about these “vainas”, I have to say that “paternas” are not the same as “cushines”.
“Paternas” are usually larger than a foot long, thick, and you can eat the white cotton around the dark green soft beans and the beans themselves. That is, if you have the patience to cook them in water with a little salt, take them out of the water, dry them, and pour some lime juice on them. A delicacy you will never forget in your entire life.
“Cushines , on the other hand, are shorter, thinner, and the little black hard beans are not edible. These two types of pods (“vainas”) grow in deep trees throughout the pacific coast of Guatemala.
Te recomiendo en tu próximo viaje al mercado unos chicos, zapotes y guanabas o anonas. Están en temporada también.
Abrazos y, nuevamente, gracias por compartir.
March 12th, 2008
Zapotes! Now that is something I know and like… One more thing to my list of things to have on my Summer trip. Thanks E!
March 12th, 2008
Hhmmm, since we’re talking about fruits and veggies….I have a question.
When we were in Antigua we uesd to eat these amazing little brown fuzzy fruits. They’re small - a little bigger than cherries I think - and have orange fruit around a pit. They’re super sour and SOO good, but I can’t remember what they’re called in Spanish, nevermind how to go about finding them in Canada. Any suggestions?
March 12th, 2008
Manolo: Next time you visit Guate to eat “zapotes”, your best bet is going around Siquinala, Escuintla. There you will find no less than 4 different types of “zapotes”. Is that mouth watering already?
Raquel: Please give us more hints about that fruit. We were debating at home whether you were talking about a “mamey” or a “jocote”, probably a “nispero” or a “carambola”. Tell us more about the texture and any more details. Trust us, Rudy will be on assignment to give you the treat of a picture that will bring memories back to you…
March 13th, 2008
Haha, thanks Edgar! Jocote is the one I think! (at least that’s the word that is the most familiar) I don’t think they were Nisperos, those I definately remember. I spent some time in San Juan del Obispo and brought a big jar home. MMmmmm!
March 13th, 2008
Raquel: I thought jocote when you mentioned they were sour, but they are not fuzzy. The ones that are quite sour are jocotes marañones which I believe is the fruit of cashew nuts, although I have never seem them in Canada. Probably if I go to specific markets because I have seen all sorts of things around here, like pitaya which is known as “dragon fruit”.
Edgar: I might even smuggle a pit to try to make my own tree up here.
March 14th, 2008
Hahaha, do you think it would grow?
Hhmmm, not fuzzy? oops, guess I don’t have as good a memory as I thought! Are they kind of wrinkly maybe? I just remember I thought they looked kind of funny, and that they tasted AMAZING!