There aren't many fruits that catch the eye as much as the bright pink, spiky Dragon Fruit. This unusual fruit is not only weirdly beautiful, it's packed with nutrients and flavour too.
Also known as Strawberry Pear or Pitaya, Dragon Fruit grows on a fruit-bearing species of cacti which is native to Central and South America. Interestingly, the cactus flower that produces dragon fruit survives only a single night. It blooms in the evening, ready for pollination by baths and moths, and wilts the very next day. The very brief pollination period, however, is sufficient for the plant to bear fruits.
It's flesh can be either white or red and is filled with tiny black edible seeds that are a source of protein and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The fruit is a good source of antioxidants, B-vitamins, vitamin C; iron, calcium and phosphorus.
So what do you do with it? Here's a few ideas...
- peel off the skin and chop up the flesh - eat it raw (it's so juicy and refreshing)
- put it in a smoothie (skin removed) - see our recipe below
- make a smoothie bowl (totally Instagram worthy).
DELICIOUS DRAGON FRUIT SMOOTHIE
- 1 whole dragon fruit, skin removed, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen Raspberries
- 1/2 cup frozen Wild Blueberries
- 1/2 cup frozen (or fresh) Mango
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Yoghurt
- a little water (add more or less depending on how thick you like it)
For added nutrition you may like to include a handful of baby spinach, some good quality protein powder, hemp seeds, chia seeds or sea minerals.
Blend and enjoy!