Q: What are star fruit, and how are they best used?

A: The attractive star shape of star fruit, also called carambola, makes it ideal for garnishing, whereas its sweet-and-sour flavor adds a wonderful note to salads, jellies and sorbets. Sliced star fruit is easy to include in fruit and vegetable salads that are prepared with vinaigrette dressings. The fruit is tasty and attractive in meat and fish salads as well; try adding slices of ripe carambola the next time you make a shrimp or chicken salad. Star fruit can be pureed and used in any number of desserts such as puddings, mousses or sorbets. But to make the most of its star shape, consider using it fresh or baked in fruit tarts.

Another idea for using star fruit is to serve it, along with other fruit, in a simple syrup. Choose a selection of fruit that sounds appealing—perhaps a mixture of all tropical fruits, such as carambola, mangoes, kiwis and pineapples. To prepare the syrup, simmer together equal amounts of water and sugar—1 cup of each, for example. Or use more water for a lighter syrup, perhaps as much as 3 cups of water per cup of sugar. To the simmering syrup, add one or more flavorings, such as slices of fresh ginger, strips of orange or lemon peel, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves or a piece of vanilla bean. Pour the warm syrup over the sliced fruit and let it cool, leaving the flavorings in the syrup for more intense flavor.

Star fruit can be purchased year-round and kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Show off star fruit in Fruit Sparkler Kebabs with Creamy White Chocolate Dip.