HOW TO OPEN A COCONUT

HOW TO OPEN A COCONUT
To "open" a sweet young "hut" coconut: Remove plastic and place it on its side on a clean towel. Hold the flat end with one hand (chopping takes place about 5 inches from this hand). About 11/2 inches below the pointed end, cut into husk (with large knife) using a chopping motion 4to 5 times. Rotate coconut and repeat procedure until you've cut all the way around. When you have cut through sufficiently, the top will pop off, or you can pull it off. Quickly turn coconut to an upright position to keep as much juice as possible inside the coconut.
To "open" a brown coconut or white coconut: Remove plastic (if wrapped in plastic) and use a clean screwdriver and hammer to poke out "eyes" at top of coconut; drain juice into bowl. The easiest way to crack open is to enclose coconut in zipper-style bag (pushing out air before closing); drop onto concrete or other indestructible surface to open. Pry coconut flesh from shell in chunks using small, clean screwdriver. Alternatively, after cracking coconut open, place pieces on rimmed baking sheet and bake in 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. The flesh will shrink and be easier to pry from shell.
A NUTRITIONAL SHELL GAME
Mention how delectable coconuts are and someone will scold you. "Coconuts are no-no's" they say in a irritated tone, flashing the evil eye. So registered dietitian and Orange County Register columnist Nancy Berkoff to the rescue Not only is Berkoff a nutritional expert, she's also a coconut lover.
"I say anything in moderation is good," she said, her voice trailing off into laughter. "No more than 30 percent of your daily calories should come from fat. Coconut flesh is high in saturated fat, but it is a natural fat, equivalent to egg yolks. So if you've been told to limit egg yolks, it's the same thing with coconut.
"And it's so good that you only need a small amount. It's high in calories, yes, but so is peanut butter. I would choose it above solid vegetable shortening or margarine. There are vitamins and minerals in it. Coconut is a treat. Not something to eat three times a day."
JUST THE FACTS
According to www.calorie-count.com, 1 cup of shredded coconut has 283 calories and 26.8 grams of fat (with 23.8 grams that is saturated fat). "Coconut juice has no fat, and has lots of good vitamins, electrolytes and minerals," she says. "It's high in fructose, but better by far than drinking a soda. And it tastes great."