An ackee is fruit native to West Africa. It is pear shaped and turns orangey yellow when it is ripe. Be careful when you are eating one-the inedible and unripe parts have a very high toxicity and could lead to hypoglycemia, commonly known as Jamaican vomiting sickness. This fruit is sometime called a vegetable brain because the only edible part of the fruit is the brain-like center. The ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, as well as a part of Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish.