Monstera," said the sign by the exotic fruit at the Whole Foods. $3.99 each. "Why not?" we said, shopping for interesting food for a party. It resembled a cucumber, except the skin was thick, lighter colored, and had hexagonal patterns. The label read, "Ripe when scales fall off. Delicious! Tastes like a cross between a pineapple and a banana."
We stared at it at the party, then I threw it on top of the microwave. A few days later, I glanced its way and, whoa! It had . . . transformed. The skin was popping off.