Description:
No, this is not a make-believe fruit Daenerys Targaryen feeds to her dragons on Game of Thrones, but a type of cactus native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, and is also popular in Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. It is a vivid pink with yellow- and green-tipped spines.
Flavor Profile:
The dragon fruit’s texture is similar to that of a kiwi, due to the tiny black seeds inside (the flesh inside can be white or red, depending on the variety), and is often described as tasting somewhere between a kiwi, a pear, and a watermelon.
Selecting a Good One:
Look for bright, evenly colored skin; if it has too many brown blotches, or if it has a dry, shriveled stem, it’s likely overripe. If the fruit is firm, let it ripen a few days until the flesh slightly gives.
Prep:
Simply slice it lengthwise and crack open. Scoop out the flesh from the inedible bright-pink husk with a spoon. Remove any remnants of the skin from the inner fruit—the skin should not be eaten.
How to Use:
Cut it into cubes and eat as is, or add to fruit salad for crunch. Dragon fruit makes delicious sorbet and shakes as well.
