DRAGON FRUIT—DON'T LET THE NAME SCARE YOU!

If you were wondering about my passion for cooking here is my latest creation.

A secret ingredient in award-winning recipes, dragon fruit, is finding its way into our kitchens all over the world. This sweet and refreshing fruit is the latest exotic fruit to make an appearance in local area markets. Usually available in late autumn and early spring, dragon fruit is a delightful addition to salads, sorbets, sauces, salsa, creamy desserts, dips and frozen fruit drinks.

Description
Also known as Pitaya, the dragon fruit is native to Mexico as well as Central and South America, and was introduced to Southeast Asia by the French. And now the fast-growing plant thrives there. This exotic fruit presents dark green, fleshy stems that stretch over 20 feet. The dazzling dragon fruit cactus employs sturdy aerial roots to climb trees, rocks and walls.

An ornamental plant prized for its spectacular blossoms and edible fruit, the dragon fruit plant produces 12-inch, white and creamy yellow flowers that only bloom at night. When dehydrated, the flowers are used to brew an antioxidant rich tea. The flavorful fruit ripens approximately 30–50 days after flowering. Pitaya plants present up to six fruiting cycles per year.

The fruit is oval with yellowish to dark red skin and edible flesh that may be red, pink or white depending on the variety and is similar in texture to a kiwifruit.

Health Benefits
The fruit boosts the body’s metabolism, builds strong bones and teeth and improves memory. It also lowers blood glucose levels naturally, as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The fruit is low in fat and high in fiber. And the list goes on.

Buying and Storing Tips

• Look for dragon fruit in Asian markets and organic health food grocery stores. Choose from three different varieties. Connoisseurs consider the red flesh to be the sweetest.
  
• Avoid fruits with discoloration, bruises or mold. The exterior scales should be fleshy and firm.
  
• Smell the fruit. The fruit should smell sweet and fresh. 
  
• Choose fruits that yield slightly but aren’t mushy, similar to the way you select an avocado. 
  
• Vine-ripened fruit is the sweetest and most flavorful.
  
• Keep at room temperature to ripen. Store ripened fruit in the refrigerator up to 3-to-5 days.
  
• Rinse the surface of the fruit before slicing. Peel away the rind and slice as desired. An alternative method is to slice the fruit in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. The pulpy flesh of the fruit and the seeds are edible, but not the rind
  

Fiery Dragon Fruit Salsa
1 cup ripe dragon fruit chopped in small pieces
1 scallions chopped fine
1 cup ripe mango chopped in small pieces
1 cup ripe pineapple chopped in small pieces
1 tablespoons of finely chopped Cilantro
1-2 Jalapeno Chile peppers finely diced
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Prepare and store in a covered glass container for one hour prior to serving allowing the flavors to blend. Fresh Fiery Dragon Fruit Salsa is a delectable accompaniment to seafood, pork and chicken.

Bon Appétit! 

Michelle