peewa

Noun

peewah (plural peewahs)

1. (Trinidad-and-Tobago) A peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), a South American palm tree.
   • The Pewa or Peach palm (Guilielma speciosa) was introduced from Trinidad, and seedlings raised for distribution. The fruits when boiled in water with salt are appreciated as a food.1910, Department of Agriculture, Legislative Council, Trinidad and Tobago, [Council Paper], Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Government Printer, →OCLC, page 16

   Synonyms:

   pupunha

2. (Trinidad-and-Tobago) The edible fruit of this plant, which has an orange or red skin when ripe, orange pulp which turns floury when cooked, and a single large seed.
   • Nicolasa had boiled a couple dozen peewahs. They were of a floury consistency. I cracked open the nuts and chewed them slowly, squeezing out the juice against my palate.1994, Sylvia Moodie-Kablalsingh, The Cocoa Panyols of Trinidad: An Oral Record, London; New York, N.Y.: British Academic Press, →ISBN, page 42