Passion Fruit & Tree Tomato Ice Cream

EVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY
THEME: FROZEN TREATS
RECIPE: PASSION FRUIT & TREE TOMATO ICE CREAM
This Passion Fruit & Tree Tomato Ice Cream has been inspired from the regular fresh juices that one generally finds on restaurant menus in Kenya. In fact, I love passion fruit and tree tomato juice as it is so refreshing, aromatic and delicious. So, as expected this ice cream turned out just that, refreshing, aromatic and super delicious.
Brief History of Ice Cream
According to history an ice cream like produce was invented in China around 200BC. In fact, Milk and rice mixture was frozen by packing it in snow. Some say it was invented in Persia. It is believed that the Roman Emperor Nero had slaves collect ice from the Apennine Mountains. Mixed with wine and honey, it was the first sorbet like frozen treat. During the 16th Century horsemen would collect ice from the Hindu Kush for the Mughal Emperors to make fruit sorbets. It was till the mid 18th century that ice creams became more affordable for the ordinary people.
Memories
Incidentally, frozen treats go by different names in different countries. Sorbets, gelato, kulfi, frozen custard, frozen yogurt. On the whole, I am so happy that ice cream was invented! What would life be without ice creams? Can you imagine, for a minute! By the way, Ice creams for me is always associated with celebrations and happy memories. Actually, the fun part was when in the evenings the huge family would pack into the mini van and go to SNO- Cream for a quick cone. Or to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries we would go to the hotels for desserts and they usually were sundaes.
Actually, the first time my aunt and I ever made ice cream at home was well, not creamy at all! In reality, it was more like frozen flavored milk, but the family enjoyed it all the same. Then, we realized that whipping the cream was essential, using right consistency of milk was paramount. And hey presto! second trial was a much better ice cream.
When my kids were growing up, I use to make fresh fruit lollies for them as Mombasa weather is almost always hot. Specifically, trips to the Ice Cream Parlours were reserved for weekends.
Some Frozen Treats You May Want To Check Out:
- Vegan Mixed Berries Ice Cream
- Thandai Kulfi
- Lemongrass and Ginger Infused Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream
- Mango Cardamom Ice Cream
- Banana Ice Cream
- Blueberry Ice Cream
- Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream
- Mango Passion Fruit Paleta
- Mango Coconut Paleta
- Pineapple Paleta
- Chikoo Kulfi
- Mango, Banana and Mint Sorbet
- Honeydew Melon Sorbet
- Watermelon Mint Sorbet
- Watermelon Granita
A bit about the group:
Every month a new theme is chosen by members. Then the participants are paired up. In turn, they give each other 2 secret ingredients to use in their recipe which is prepared fitting the theme. As soon as their dish is ready, the photo is shared on our Facebook group and other try and guess the secret ingredients. Finally, towards the end of the month the recipe is shared on the group. Furthermore, this way members get to know each other and interact with each other.
This Month’s Theme
Keeping in mind that its Summer Time in India, Pavani who blogs at Pavani’s Kitchen suggested FROZEN TREATS as our theme for the month of April. And am I so glad as it is very very hot in Mombasa too. In particular because the rains haven’t arrived! Incidentally, Pavani has so many delicious and easy recipes that I want to try. First on the list is her 4 Ingredient Coffee Ice Cream as I’m a huge fan of coffee.Additionally, also would love to try out her refreshing Rose Mojito. Please do check out her frozen treat Easy Oreo Ice Cream.
My Partner
In regards to this month, my partner is Anu who blogs at Ente Thattukada. In brief, Anu’s blog is a mixture of South Indian and International recipes. I’ve bookmarked Vettu Cake a tea time snack from the state of Kerala and Vattayappam, Kerala Style Steamed Cakes. For the frozen treat Anu gave me passion fruit and cream as my secret ingredients. And Anu used the secret ingredients dates and banana to prepare a healthy, delicious and creamy Chocolate Ice Cream.
Ingredients Required For Passion Fruit & Tree Tomato Ice Cream
- Passion Fruit Concentrate – Passion Fruit is a tropical fruit with a tough outer skin encasing juicy seeds within it. Though its sour, one can enjoy the pulp with the seeds on its own as it is rich in Vitamins A & C and antioxidants. To get the concentrate, cut the fruit into half, remove the pulp from the outer rind. It is then processed in a blender for a few seconds. Strain the pulp in a sieve to remove the seeds. Now you have passion fruit concentrate.
- Tree Tomato – Also known as tamarillo, is a tropical fruit. Here too the pulp is generally enjoyed on its own as its packed with Vitamins A, C and E. Here too the fruit is cut into half and the pulp is scooped out. Since the pulp is less juicy and more thick, a bit of water is required to process the pulp in the blender. The mixture is then strained using a sieve to remove the seeds.
- Coconut Milk – can use normal dairy milk or evaporated milk too.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Whipping Cream or Heavy Cream
- Sugar – optional. I didn’t add any sugar as the sweetness from the sweetened condensed milk was right for us. Taste the mixture and add sugar
- Salt – just a generous pinch is added to bring out the flavors.
Please note that no flavoring of any sort is added as passion fruit has its own strong flavour and aroma too.
Dietary Tips:
- Gluten Free
- Egg free

PASSION FRUIT & TREE TOMATO ICE CREAM
Ingredients
- 200 ml coconut milk approx. 1 cup
- 200 ml sweetened condensed milk approx. 1 cup
- 100 ml whipping or heavy cream approx. ½ cup
- ½ cup fresh passion fruit concentrate
- ½ cup tree tomato pureed pulp
- sugar according to your taste, optional
- generous pinch salt
Instructions
METHOD 1 USING ICE CREAM MACHINE
- Put the inner bucket/bowl in the freezer overnight.
- Mix all the above ingredients in a blender.
- Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Fix the chilled bucket or bowl into your ice cream machine according to the instructions given.
- Switch the machine on.
- Pour the chilled mixture into the bowl or bucket and allow it to churn for 20-25 minutes. The exact time will be given in machine's instruction guidance.
- Mine has to churn for 25 minutes. After that you can serve the soft ice cream.
- For a firm ice cream, transfer the soft ice cream to an airtight container and leave it in the freezer for 2 hours.
METHOD 2 WITHOUT AN ICE CREAM MACHINE
- Whip the cream to a soft peak consistency.
- Fold in the milk, sweetened condensed milk and whisk again. The mixture will appear custard like.
- Add the salt, passion fruit concentrate and tree tomato puree. Whisk again.
- Put the mixture in an airtight container. Put it in the freezer.
- After about an hour you will see that the ice cream has begun to freeze at the edges.
- Give the mixture a whisk again and freeze it.
- Repeat the process at least 3-4 times before allowing it to freeze completely. This way you will avoid any crystals in the ice cream.
Notes
- The sweetness from the sweetened condensed milk was enough for us. If you need to add more sugar, add some at the blending stage according to your taste.
- For a swirl effect, add ¼ cup tree tomato puree just before the churning time is over. If making without the machine, add the puree on top after the last whisk. Create swirls using a fork and allow it to freeze.
Pin For Later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
40 Comments
VIPIN SAINI
April 30, 2021 at 1:20 pm
Looks very delicious to me! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
mayurisjikoni
April 30, 2021 at 9:14 pm
Thank you so much.
Preeti Shridhar
May 4, 2021 at 3:13 pm
The ice cream reads very flavorful with coconut milk, passion fruit and tree tomato.
Learnt about a new fruit today…. tree tomato 😊
mayurisjikoni
May 4, 2021 at 7:17 pm
Thank you so much Preeti. Basically the fruit is like eating a little sour tomato. I love the fruit.
foodtrails25
May 4, 2021 at 4:15 pm
Passion fruit and tree tomato ice cream looks so creamy and melt in mouth.. can imagine the burst of flavours from coconut milk, passion fruit and tree tomato.. I never had tree tomato, will love to taste the fruit and try the recipe whenever I get it..loving the color and so crisp and clear pics..
mayurisjikoni
May 4, 2021 at 7:14 pm
Thank you so much Swaty. The passion fruit flavour is distinct in this ice cream. I am surprised that you didn’t get an opportunity to taste tree tomato or tamarillo.
kalyani
May 7, 2021 at 7:56 am
I need to find adjectives that aptly describe the delish combo here in this ice cream… classy, spring dessert.. beautiful …
mayurisjikoni
May 8, 2021 at 6:06 pm
Thank you so much Kalyani.
Renu
May 9, 2021 at 8:33 pm
A different and unique combination of flavours in this recipe. passion fruit and tree tomato puree, never heard of.. loving the beautiful colour of the ice cream.
mayurisjikoni
May 9, 2021 at 11:39 pm
Thank you so much Renu.
Seema Sriram
May 15, 2021 at 12:57 pm
As I was reading the ingredient list I was considering how amazing these flavours will be together. I have had tree tomato only once but yumm it will be in this icecream.
mayurisjikoni
May 15, 2021 at 2:30 pm
Thanks Seema, hopefully you will get tree tomato to try out this recipe.
The Girl Next Door
May 9, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Wow, wow, wow, this is such a unique recipe! I would never have thought of using tree tomato in an ice cream for sure. Kudos to you for coming up with something so innovative!
The Passion Fruit & Tree Tomato Ice Cream looks absolutely divine. I’d love to dig in!
mayurisjikoni
May 9, 2021 at 11:39 pm
Thank you so much Priya, as I mentioned its a common combination for a fresh juice served in restaurants in Kenya.
Archana
May 11, 2021 at 2:41 pm
Wow! you have shared so many passion fruit recipes my interest in them has sharpened. I must look for some hopefully once the lockdown is lifted I will be able to search around.
Tree tomato is again new to me. Looking at the pictures of your ice cream I have to say I am going to hunt for both these ingredients. I definitely need to make the passion fruit and tree tomato ice cream. It is yum.
mayurisjikoni
May 11, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Thank you so much Archana. I’ve occasionally seen passion fruit in the shops in India but have not seen tree tomato. Hope you find them.
Azlin Bloor
May 12, 2021 at 4:18 pm
This passion fruit ice cream is such a delight to behold, especially because to the tamarillo juice in it, such an interesting combination. I love passion fruit, so I know this summer recipe is something I would totally enjoy!
mayurisjikoni
May 12, 2021 at 6:48 pm
Thank you so much Azlin passion fruit ice cream on its own too is awesome and so is the sorbet. Do try out the recipe during summer.
Pavani
May 12, 2021 at 5:31 pm
I love the combination of passion fruit and the tree tomato, it must be very flavorful and tasted great! Thanks for sharing a unique ice cream recipe.
mayurisjikoni
May 12, 2021 at 6:47 pm
Thank you so much Pavani. It was definitely a fun theme.
Poonam Bachhav
May 15, 2021 at 12:30 am
The combination of tomato tree and passion fruit in an icecream is new to me but sounds absolutely flavorful ! Love your beautiful presentation.
mayurisjikoni
May 17, 2021 at 7:23 pm
Thank you so much Poonam.
Poonam Bachhav
May 15, 2021 at 12:32 am
The combination of tree tomato and passion fruit in an icecream is new to me but sounds absolutely flavorful ! Love your beautiful presentation.
mayurisjikoni
May 15, 2021 at 2:31 pm
I agree with you Poonam, it is new to you as you don’t get tree tomato in India and also passion fruit is not easy to come by. However, both fruits are very famous here in Kenya.
NARMADHA
May 15, 2021 at 1:18 pm
That is such an interesting combination of passion fruit and tree tomato. The ice cream looks so creamy and perfect to enjoy during summer. Coconut milk makes it more flavorful and delicious.
mayurisjikoni
May 15, 2021 at 2:29 pm
Thank you so much Narmadha.
Vasusvegkitchen
May 15, 2021 at 6:52 pm
Passion fruit and tree tomato ice cream looks super creamy and delicious. Never got chance to taste tree tomato, please pass 1 bowl of ice-cream Di 😋. Coconut milk and whipping cream used gave creamy texture to this ice-cream.
mayurisjikoni
May 15, 2021 at 7:33 pm
Thank you so much Aruna, wish I could share the ice cream with you and also send some tree tomato fruit to you.
Priya Vj
May 15, 2021 at 9:34 pm
Tree tomato is a new ingredient for me . Thanks for introducing this flavorful fruit.The recipe sounds so refreshing with passion fruit , coconut milk and tree tomatoes.
mayurisjikoni
May 15, 2021 at 11:56 pm
Thank you so much Priya.
Preethicuisine
May 16, 2021 at 7:43 am
Passion fruit and tree tomato Icecream sounds so innovative. I have never used tree tomato. I would like to try this incredibly delicious ice cream . Thanks for the fabulous recipe. The clicks are a sight to behold.
mayurisjikoni
May 16, 2021 at 10:50 pm
Thank you so much Preethi. I guess you will have to either travel to Kenya or South America to try tree tomatoes 🙂
Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth
May 16, 2021 at 1:03 pm
Tree tomato sounds new to me and I am truly intrigued about how it would be. The ice cream looks absolutely creamy… I would devour them without even knowing what goes into it… Totally beautiful color as well…
mayurisjikoni
May 16, 2021 at 10:48 pm
Thank you so much Rafeeda, I am quite surprised that tree tomato is not available in Dubai or even if it, it may be expensive. Tangy, slightly tomato taste.
Anu Kollon
May 17, 2021 at 4:30 am
Passion fruit and tree tomato are such a unique combination and never ever thought this blend can churn into such delicious ice cream. The props used for this photography are too good and not to mention I am in love with this golden spoon. Great recipe and it deserves a 5 star.
mayurisjikoni
May 17, 2021 at 7:02 pm
Thank you so much Anu for the kind words.
Jayashree T.Rao
May 18, 2021 at 9:08 am
Lovely and unique ice cream recipe. Liked the use of combination of passion fruit along with tree tomato to form this beautiful looking dessert.
mayurisjikoni
May 18, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Thank you so much Jayashree.
Sasmita Sahoo
May 18, 2021 at 11:05 am
Passion fruit with tree tomato Icecream looks fabulous here …..
Just love this beautiful presentation and i am simply drooling over these. The combination also sounds interesting here in the ice cream
mayurisjikoni
May 18, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Thank you so much Sasmita, as I mentioned, passion fruit and tree tomato juice is pretty common in the restaurants here.