Dragon Fruit

It first came to my attention when I saw it on a package of green tea packets.  The flavor of the tea was dragon fruit-peach.  Never heard of dragon fruit.  Never even met a dragon, let alone had a meaningful discussion with one about its culinary preferences.  However, since they eat fruit, they have to be either herbivores or omnivores. 

I'm thinking omnivores.  Don't they have a reputation for hauling young women (preferably princesses) off to their caves?  Your typical princess doesn't do household chores and has little entertainment value although the younger ones are most likely tender and tasty morsels.  Unless the handsome prince made a timely appearance the princess probably became dragon chow.  "Here's your dinner, Drago, a delicious young princess.  Would you like some dragon fruit with that?  Fresh ground pepper?"

Dragon Fruit

Thank you, Trish, for giving me a hand with this picture.

We were in Santa Fe when I discovered the existence of dragon fruit and I immediately started scouring grocery stores for them.  Trader Joes: no.  Whole Paycheck: no.  Safeway: no.  Yesterday, I finally scored, spied a few hanging out with the tomatoes at Smith's (Kroger chain) right here in LHC.  This one was grown in Vietnam; it's also grown in Central and South America, and Texas is getting into the act.  A form of cactus, it likes hot climates. 

Okay, got one, now what?  How do you tell when it's ready to eat and how do you eat it?  Checked online: it's ready when it has the squeeze resistance of a ripe avocado, at which time you cut it in half, scoop out the inside and have at it.  The flavor is said to be something between pear and kiwi, which we found to be accurate albeit more mildly flavored.  We liked it but aren't raving about it.

 

 

 

Looks like poppy seed salad dressing.

 

Had I checked the price I may not have bought it.  It cost $7.20 and weighed just over a pound.  The cost will decline as domestic production increases.  It's a 'wonder fruit', has lots of nutritional value, maybe more than even Wonder Bread (builds strong bodies 12 ways!).  Wonder Bread, my ass!  That stuff has the same nutritional value as Styrofoam - but less flavor.