Active Time

　　10 min

　　Total Time

　　2 1/4 hr

　　Wonderfully festive and fun, these candied star-shaped chips — a favorite among children — have a slight tropical flavor that makes them a sunny treat with or without the strudel.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 32 chips

　　2 firm-ripe yellow star fruit (sometimes called carambola;1/2 lb total)

　　2 cups sugar

　　2 cups water

　　

Special Equipment

an adjustable-blade slicer; a 17- by 11-inch nonstick bakeware liner such as Silpat

　　

Make chips:

Step 1

Slice star fruit crosswise with slicer into 1/16-inch-thick slices.

　　

Step 2

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add star fruit, then remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes. Pour star fruit into a sieve set over a bowl and drain 15 minutes. Reserve syrup for quince apple strudels .

　　

Step 3

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 200°F. Put liner on a large (17- by 11-inch) baking sheet, then arrange star-fruit slices in 1 layer on liner (discard extra along with any broken slices). Bake until dry, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Immediately transfer chips to a rack to cool.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Chips can be made 1 week ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then kept, layered between sheets of wax paper, in an airtight container at room temperature. Chill star-fruit syrup, covered.