This is one of the big bonuses of living next door to the specialty produce buyer for a local produce company: I get to try some very cool stuff!
Monique -- my neighbor -- has brought over arugula flowers, caviar limes, lettuces and more, but these ice cream beans were one of the most unique foods I have ever tried.
The part you eat is the fluffy, white pulp wrapped around the pods. This tasty fruit is popular in Central America and South America, is used in local herbalism practices and is an important ingredient in cachiri (an alcoholic drink).
The pulp is surprisingly fluffy, and eating it is like having a sweet, slightly vanilla-ish cloud rolling around on your tongue. Pretty cool.
If you would like to try ice cream beans, keep an eye out for them at farmers markets and specialty food shops, since they aren't a common sight in chain grocery stores.
If you live in the 805, you can stop by Produce Available in Oxnard to pick some up.