A large, conical custard-apple relative with green or pink-blushed skin and sweet, smooth flesh — the white type mild and sugary, the pink type tart and rosé-tinted. A regional treasure of the Mexican Pacific.
Ilama is a rare Pacific-Mexican custard-apple that occasionally reaches Latino-Black specialty markets — another branch of the soursop-sweetsop family tree the diaspora kitchen recognizes.
Ilama offers vitamin C, potassium, B-vitamins, and fiber, with the antioxidant polyphenols common to the Annona family. The pink-fleshed variety carries anthocyanins giving its rosé tint, adding a vascular-protective pigment dimension. As a sweet custard-apple, its sugar content is significant — a whole-food dessert fruit best portioned for blood sugar. Its fiber supports digestion and modestly buffers the sugar.
Ripen until soft, then cut and scoop the creamy flesh, discarding the dark seeds. Eaten fresh and chilled in its native region, often with a squeeze of lime to brighten the pink variety.
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