It's lotus pod season here in southern China.   We get dried lotus seeds all year round and there is nothing wrong with them!     But at this time of year, for a few weeks, we get roadside vendors selling fresh lotus pods. The idea is to pop out the seeds and eat them as they are. I've never seen these in supermarkets or even regular markets - always street vendors.   Anyway, the two in the picture below cost me a massive 2元 each (31 cents US; 20 pence UK)