Flowers and Leaves

Instructions
1. Wash the papaya, cut it into three-inch-long sections, peel them, and then cut in half lengthwise.
2. Carve a rose bud in the center of the flower. Carve six expanded petals radiating from the center, cut two curves in the outer edge of each petal, and remove flesh from beneath.
3. Carve the six pointed petals of the second circle, centering them between the petals of the first circle. On the upper surface of each, cut two grooves.
4. Cut the outline of the leaf, make grooves to represent the midrib and veins, and notch the edges. Gently trim the remaining flesh away from the flower and leaf.

Carved Apple

Instructions
1. Wash the apples.
2. Begin carving the first flower by creating the center. Make cuts to form the petals and remove flesh from the cuts.
3. With the tip of the knife, cut curved expanded petals around the center and remove flesh from beneath to make them stand out.
4. Around and centered between these carve a circle of pointed petals.
5. To one side and below, carve a second flower in the same way. Then, carve a third to one side and above the second. Continue in this way around the fruit. When done, carve leaves around the flowers.
6. Peel the areas that are not carved and then soak the apple in salt water to prevent from darkening.

Stylized Lotus

Instructions
1. Make a shallow slice to cut off the stem end.
2. Make cuts down the side of the melon to divide it into 12 uniform sections. Cut under these sections to make the outer ring of 12 petals. These should be about one quarter of a centimeter thick.
3. Divide the melon into 12 sections centered between the petals of the outer ring to make a second and then a third ring of petals. Next, remove the seeds mid membrane at the center.
4. Notch the borders of the petals attractively, starting with the middle ring and then moving to the inner ring.
5. Notch the borders of the petals of the outer ring more deeply and cut a shallow groove in each.

Orchids

Instructions
1. Cut the tubers in half from top to bottom.
2. Cut into the center of the flat side with the carving knife and then make a circular cut around the center. While cutting, twist the wrist up and down slightly to give the center of the flower a wavy surface.
3. Carve the two large petals on opposite sides of the center, again twisting the wrist slightly to give them a wavy surface. Remove the flesh to the sides of the petals.
4. In the same way, carve the two small petals between the large ones.
5. Remove the flesh from beneath the petals and you will have a white orchid. Use a paintbrush to daub the center of the flower attractively with yellow food coloring.

Leafy Mangoes

Instructions
1. Wash the mango. Around the stem of each, cut five rounded petals as in the picture.
2. Remove the remaining skin. With the knife tip, cut leaves of equal size radiating from the petals around the circumference of the fruit.
3. With the tip of the carving knife, give the leaves graceful curves, and then cut grooves to represent the midribs and veins. When finished, remove some flesh from under the leaves.
4. Make the second circle of leaves in the same way, centering them between those of the first circle. Continue until the entire fruit is carved.

Covered Bowl

Instructions
1. With the tip of the carving knife, lay out a five pointed star around the stem of the guava, and then deepen the cuts so that the guava separates in two, thus forming the bowl and the cover.
2. With the melon scoop, hollow out the inside of the bowl, and then wash it well.
3. Begin carving the outer surface of the bowl. Make a cut parallel to the edges of the mouth all the way around the fruit and then remove a little flesh from the cut to make a groove. With the carving knife, make a V-shaped groove in each of the five protrusions. Insert the tip of the carving knife into the flesh toward the base end of the groove; make a cut to form the edge of the leaf, twisting the wrist to make the edge wavy. Make the other edge of the leaf in the same way. Remove some flesh from beneath the edges and cut grooves to form the veins of the leaf as in the picture.
4. In the same way, make another leaf surrounding the first but without cutting grooves for veins. Make leaves on the other four protrusions and then cut V-shaped grooves in the surface of the fruit around the leaves.

Nested Star Flowers

Instructions
1. Wash the sapodillas.
2. Make a small circular cut and remove some flesh from around the circle to form the center of the flower.
3. Lay out five pointed petals radiating from the center and groove them down the center.
4. With the tip of the knife, make a cut on one side of each petal from the base to the tip, moving the wrist back and forth. Make a similar cut on the other side of the petal, and then make cuts on each side one millimeter from and parallel to the first two. Do the same for all five petals and then remove flesh from beneath them.
5. Make the second circle of petals in the same way, centered on those of the first circle. When complete, peel the skin from the center and cut crisscrossing grooves in it.