To poach tamarillos, combine in a saucepan the water, caster sugar and half a vanilla bean’s seeds or one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Bring slowly to a boil.

When the sugar has dissolved add the tamarillos, then reduce the heat and gently poach the fruit for six minutes.

Then remove the tamarillos and boil the syrup to reduce the amount of liquid by about half.

Carefully peel the tamarillos and put them into a bowl. Cover them with the syrup and put them into the fridge until ready to serve.

You can either serve the fruit whole or halved with whipped cream mixed with crushed meringues.