: A Tropical Thai Treasure
If you've ever wandered through the lush gardens of Hua Hin or explored the local markets in this charming coastal town, you've likely encountered two of Thailand's most underappreciated fruits: sweet, jewel-toned mulberries and the wonderfully tart bilimbi, known locally as ตะลิงปลิง (taling pling). This recipe brings these two distinctly Thai flavors together in a jam that's as vibrant as Hua Hin's morning markets and as refreshing as a sea breeze along its beaches. The Hua Hin Connection: Fruits of the Gulf Coast Hua Hin, with its subtropical climate and fertile gardens, provides the perfect environment for both mulberries and bilimbi trees. Walk through any residential neighborhood in this royal resort town, and you'll spot bilimbi trees heavy with their distinctive cucumber-shaped fruits dangling in clusters. Mulberry trees, meanwhile, thrive in the region's home gardens and small orchards, producing their sweet bounty during the cooler months. L...