Dragon Fruit: A Quest-Worthy Fruit

Time to slay the dragon. Dragon fruit, that is.

I have to say that if dragon’s laid egg they would probably look like this.

The football shaped fruit has prominent “scales” and leathery skin that makes this one strange-looking fruit. But the intense shape and color of the unique fruit gets high marks on beauty—from the outside in. Beneath the gnarled exterior of the super fruit you will find white or magenta-hued flesh speckled with small, edible black seeds. A weirdly beautiful fruit that a Tim Burton mind could easily get inspired by.

A friend of mine told me she used to have a dragon fruit cactus in her backyard. I grew up with dandelions and other similar weeds. Talk about not fair, right!?

Dragon fruit—also known as pitaya or pitahaya—has a knack for getting the double head turn with its looks, however, its flavor is strangely opposite. Imagine the texture of a kiwi with the subtle sweetness of a melon or a pear. Big on appearance while being mild in flavor. The fruit is refreshing with a welcome crunch from the black seeds (kind of like passion fruit) and will likely be the least sweet fruit you ever encounter.

The popular cactus grown fruit from Central America dazzles with its looks, but also gets two thumbs up for its nutritional value. Dragon fruits are high in antioxidants, vitamin C and minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Plus they are high in fiber and low in calories making them a fantastic light snack or side dish.

Dragon fruit is quickly becoming the latest “it” fruit as companies all over feature the mystical fruit in their newest drink flavor or spotlight the perplexing produce in popular food shows like Top Chef. Get a taste of the unfoody looking fruit sensation yourself with these:

• Can’t get over how beautiful the Dalmatian-esque fruit looks in this tropical salad from island heaven.
• You have to drink it….everyone else is. Try this dragon fruit smoothie.
• Cool off with a dragon fruit granita. You’ll love how beautiful the pink dragon fruit variety makes your dish look.
• Top your cupcakes with dragon fruit! The mild flavor of the dragon fruit makes it a versatile foodie accessory.
• Food Network nailed it with this one: Seared scallops with dragon fruit salsa.

Slice into the summer season’s most fun, funky and fantasy-like fruit! This is one fruit worth going on a (dragon) quest for.

Feature photo courtesy of John Loo via Flickr
Photo 2 courtesy of y_katsuuu via Flickr