coquito nuts

[koh-KEE-toh] Native to South America, coquito nuts look like tiny (1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch in diameter) coconuts and have a brown exterior and white interior with a hollow center. They're crunchy and have a sweet flavor similar to coconut. Coquito nuts are sold shelled in packages and can be found in some natural food stores and specialty produce markets. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Eat whole as you would other nuts, or chop and add to salads and desserts. Soften dehydrated nuts by pouring boiling water over them and allowing them to stand for 20 minutes.