Those look like water caltrops, also called bat nuts, devil pods, or buffalo nuts 🌰
They’re an unusual aquatic fruit/seed commonly eaten in parts of Asia and sometimes used for decoration because of their horn-like shape.
What Are They?
Water caltrops grow in water plants and have:
- A hard black or dark brown shell
- Sharp “horns”
- A white edible inside
The inside tastes mildly nutty and slightly similar to:
- Chestnuts
- Potatoes
- Coconuts (very lightly)
How Do You Eat Them?
Step 1: Wash Them
Rinse thoroughly because they’re often harvested from muddy water areas.
Step 2: Boil Them 🍲
Place them in a pot of water and boil for:
- 20–30 minutes
Some people add a little salt.
Step 3: Let Them Cool
Careful — the shells can become very hot.
Step 4: Crack Open the Shell
Use:
- A knife
- Nutcracker
- Kitchen hammer
The shell is very hard.
Inside you’ll find soft white flesh.
How Paople Eat Them
The inside can be:
- Eaten plain
- Added to soups
- Used in desserts
- Mashed
- Roasted
In some countries they’re sold by street vendors as snacks.
Important Note ⚠️
Do not eat them raw unless you’re absolutely certain they’re prepared safely and identified correctly.
Cooking is usually recommended.
Why They Look So Strange
Their horned shape evolved naturally and is why they’re nicknamed:
- Devil pods
- Bat nuts
- Buffalo heads
A lot of people first think they’re:
- Animal claws
- Fossils
- Decorative carvings
But they’re actually edible!
Pretty wild-looking for a snack. 🌰✨
