Freezing the whole coconut makes the shell pop away from the flesh as soon as you crack it open. After freezing the coconut overnight, whack the fruit around its equator with the dull side of a cleaver and then peel the shell off of the meat. An additional benefit: The coconut water inside will be frozen, making it easy to remove without any spillage or waste.
A Better Way to Extract Coconut Meat
Opening the hard shell of a fresh, whole coconut is only half the battle: You then need a sharp knife and steady hand to pry the meat away from the shell.
Published Nov. 30, 2015.
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