If you’ve never tasted sun-ripened tropical dragon fruit you’re in for a special treat!
Dragon Fruit- a type of cactus with tiny edible seeds similar to a kiwi fruit comes in three varieties- white, pink, and brilliant magenta. Originally grown in Mexico and South America, this tropical fruit has made it’s way to St. Croix by way of Art Farm, LLC, an organic farm run by artists and farmers, Luca and Christina Gasperi.
On a recent Saturday, I was fortunate to catch their last-minute Pop Up Farm Stand (the growing season has just begun for most of their green crops) and load up on this sweet and nutritious fruit. The best way to describe the taste of dragon fruit goes something like this: a mix of kiwi, watermelon, cactus, and pear. Right?! You’ve got to taste it to understand. And with the recent popularity of this fruit in health food circles- you can! Fresh dragon fruit is not only hitting markets worldwide…it’s also widely available as a frozen product.
The health benefits of this fleshy fruit are numerous. It’s loaded with antioxidants including vitamin C, high in fiber, and has more magnesium than most other fruits- aiding in digestion and supporting bone health. I enjoy eating it with a spoon, scooping the flesh out like a kiwi. And have also created numerous juices, smoothies, ice creams, and sorbets depending on my mood and what ingredients I have on hand.
This weekend was especially hot so I created a frozen dragon fruit sorbet combining fresh fruit with lime juice and honey- and a touch of sparkling rose ! Wow did that hit the spot!
I also made a filling smoothie with banana, blueberries, mint, and ice!
Sometimes simple is divine. And when it comes to enjoying Dragon Fruit, I say don’t mess with a good thing! This is an example of nature at it’s best- brilliant, beautiful, healthful, and delicious!
Cheers to Dragon Fruit Season!
Stacia
Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Blend in a Vitamix or other high speed blender and drink up!
Ingredients
Directions
Blend in a Vitamix or other high speed blender and drink up!
Dragon Fruit Rose Sorbet
Blend in a high speed blender or food processor and freeze in an ice cream maker until frozen.
If you do not have an ice cream maker you can simply pour your sorbet into a glass tray or dish and freeze until solid.
Ingredients
Directions
Blend in a high speed blender or food processor and freeze in an ice cream maker until frozen.
If you do not have an ice cream maker you can simply pour your sorbet into a glass tray or dish and freeze until solid.
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