Fried Fish With Tamarillo Sauce

Do you know this fruit? Its call Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea) or Tree Tomato Plant, in same family with the potato, tomato, eggplant and capsicum. It’s native to Central and South America. According to wikipedia Prior to 1967, the tamarillo was known as "tree tomato" in New Zealand, but a new name was chosen by the 'New Zealand Tree Tomato Promotions Council' in order to distinguish it from the ordinary tomato and increase its exotic appeal.  Nowadays it’s known as tamarillo in many country but still called Tree Tomato in most of the world.  Tamarillo rates highly as a source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants when compared to other common fruits and vegetables.

• Low in fat and hence calories
• Low in carbohydrates and the carbohydrate present is mainly in the form of fiber
• High in potassium but extremely low in sodium, which is a desirable balance for a healthy diet
• Contains other trace elements important for health, in particular copper and manganese
• Source of fiber
• Source of Vitamin A, B6 and C. Also contains Vitamin E and Thiamine

Here in Sabah it rarely found and only grow in the highland area surrounding the Mount Kinabalu.  Here we call it kambatus kayu (in English means tree tomato). It’s has a unique and exotic taste.  The flesh of the tamarillo is tangy and mildly sweet and may be compared to kiwifruit, tomato or passion fruit. The skin and the flesh near it have an unpleasant bitter taste. In my traditional dishes the raw tamarillo usually used in cooking taduk ( batang keladi masak asam), stir-fry with salted fish or anchovies and to make a pickle. The ripen one usually eaten fresh.  Inspired by the recipe I got from the internet, I manage to create my own simple tamarillo sauce using the ripe tamarillo.  Unique taste yet very delicious.

poor image ~ mobile upload

Fried Fish with Tamarillo Sauce

Ingredients:

1. Some fried fish 
2. 5 tamarillo
3. 1 red chili (sliced)
4. 2 garlic (mince)
5. 2tbsp tomato sauce
6. 2tbsp oyster sauce
7. 1tbsp sugar
8. 1tbsp pepper powder
9. 1tsp corn starch diluted in a little water

Methods:

• Make a small cross in the bottom of each tamarillo with a sharp knife.  Dip the tamarillos into hot boiling water about a minute to easily peel off the skin.
• Remove seeds and finely chopped.
• Stir-fry minced garlic until fragrant.  
• Stir in chopped tamarillo and cook gently for about 2 minute.
• Add in sliced red chili, tomato sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and pepper powder.  Stir until well combined.
• Thicken the sauce by a little corn starch water.
• Pour the sauce over the fried fish.  Ready to serve.

Fried Fish with Tamarillo Sauce