Janet's Journal

March was a fairly quiet month here in Negombo. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia saw an abrupt halt to the tourist arrivals from those two countries. Power cuts, fuel shortages and rising prices have dominated life here.

With no electricity in the evenings and my gas cylinder running very low I have eaten out more this month.

At last I have found out what the ‘white coconuts’ are. Palapi, or coconut apples, are found on the ground beneath the trees. The coconuts have begun to sprout and the seed consumes the water inside the shell. If left to grow the will eventually become new trees. Although not commercially marketed small roadside stalls sell them this time of year.

The inner shell is soft and edible and the flesh is slightly sponges in texture and pleasantly sweet. Highly nutritious they are best eaten within two days.

Falooda was the next thing to try. It’s a little bit sweet for my taste but delicious to drink occasionally, maybe homemade would be less sweet. Made from milk (dairy or non- dairy) with rose syrup, a few little cubes of jelly and sometimes a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the final topping is kasa kasa (sweet basil seeds which have been soaked in water).

Saruwath is another refreshing drink. It can be made from most fruit juices. Sugar syrup, and a pinch of salt is added and then it is topped with kasa kasa ( I have to say they do look a bit like frog spawn on the top). The drinks are vibrant in colour.