Dragon fruit has a bright red skin, hard and tough, and the flesh is similar to a kiwi fruit. Dragon fruit is part of the cactus family and is rich in fiber and vitamins C and B. The colored skin is inedible, but the flesh is creamy and delicious. Learn how to eat dragon fruit and prepare it in three ways: kebab, smoothie, or sorbet (ice cider).
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Method 1 of 4: Preparing Dragon Fruit
Step 1. Look for dragon fruit
The hardest part about eating dragon fruit is probably finding the fruit, depending on where you live. Dragon fruit is commonly sold in Asian countries, but is rarely found in the United States and Europe. In these countries, if local grocery stores do not provide dragon fruit, then buyers can look for it in Asian grocery stores.
Step 2. Choose ripe fruit
Dragon fruit has a bright red or pink color. Like kiwifruit or peaches, they taste great when they're fully ripe.
- Hit the dragon fruit. If it returns to its original shape, it means it is ripe. If it's too soft, it's overcooked and the texture isn't good. If it's still firm, it will take a few days for it to be ready to eat.
- Avoid fruit that has dark bruises, dry brown spots, or dry spines.
Step 3. Cut the dragon fruit in half
Use a sharp knife to slice it. You will see the white flesh of the dragon fruit which is similar to the flesh of a kiwi fruit with small black seeds scattered all over the flesh.
Step 4. Scrape the dragon fruit flesh with a spoon
Start at the edge of the skin and then scrape the inside to remove the flesh. If the fruit is ripe, then the flesh is easily dredged.
Step 5. Eat dragon fruit
Scrape with a spoon and eat, cut into quarters like an apple, or use it as an ingredient in one of the recipes below.
- Dragon fruit is delicious eaten cold. Store dragon fruit in the refrigerator before eating.
- Don't eat dragon fruit skin. The peel is inedible and can cause an upset stomach if you eat it.
Method 2 of 4: Making Dragon Fruit Kebab
Step 1. Soak the wooden skewers
One skewer is required for each kebab. Soak as many skewers as needed in a bowl of water for ten minutes. This will keep the skewers from scorching when grilled.
If you prefer to use metal skewers, then you can do that too. Metal skewers do not need to be immersed in water
Step 2. Turn on the grill
Fruit kebabs should be grilled over medium heat. Use an electric grill or a charcoal grill.
- The grill on the gas stove can also be used to bake kebabs.
- If you don't have a grill, you can also bake kebabs in the oven. Set the oven to high heat to prepare the kebabs.
Step 3. Prepare the fruits
Dragon fruit pairs well with various types of tropical fruits. For a kebab, try combining it with mango and pineapple.
- Cut the ripe dragon fruit in half. Dredge the meat and cut it into small bite-size pieces.
- Cut the ripe mango in half. Peel the skin and cut into small bite-size pieces.
- Cut the pineapple in half. Peel the skin and cut the flesh into small bite-size pieces.
Step 4. Pierce the fruits on a skewer
Pierce the fruit alternately so that each fruit has the same number on the skewer. Leave some space at the end of the skewer for easy removal of the kebab.
Step 5. Arrange the kebabs on the grill
Bake until fruit is lightly browned on one side, then flip to ripen on the other side.
If you are using an oven, arrange the kebabs on a baking sheet and place them in the oven. Bake for 2 minutes, remove from oven, flip the kebab over, put it back in the oven, and bake for another 2 minutes
Step 6. Remove the kebabs from the grill
Arrange on serving plates and serve immediately with a bowl of granulated sugar for sprinkling.
Method 3 of 4: Making Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Step 1. Prepare the fruits
Dragon fruit pairs well with bananas, various berries, and any other fruit you want to make into a smoothie.
- Split the dragon fruit in two. Scrape the meat with a spoon, then cut into small pieces.
- Peel a banana and cut it into pieces.
- Wash 200 grams of blueberries.
Step 2. Choose the main ingredient of the smoothie
Dragon fruit has creamy flesh so it tastes delicious when combined with creamy main ingredients. Choose the following main ingredients:
- Yoghurt or greek yogurt (yogurt from filtered goat's milk), either plain or other flavors that are your favorite.
- Whole milk, low fat milk, or skim milk, according to your preference.
- Soy milk, either plain or according to your favorite taste.
- Milk from nuts such as almond milk or cashew milk.
Step 3. Give another addition
If you like smoothies with added sweetness and other added flavors, choose the following additional ingredients:
- Apple juice or grape juice.
- A few tablespoons of granulated sugar, syrup, or honey.
- Peanut butter or almond butter.
Step 4. Put the ingredients in a blender
Add dragon fruit, banana and blueberries. Add 250 ml of the main ingredient of your choice and a few tablespoons of additional sweetener or peanut butter of your choice.
Step 5. Mash all the smoothie ingredients
Use the “pulse” function on the blender to crush all the ingredients until smooth.
- If your smoothie is too thick, add a little milk, juice, or water to thin it out.
- If you want a thicker smoothie, add instant oatmeal.
Step 6. Pour the smoothie into a glass and serve
Drink the smoothie through a straw or if you make a thick smoothie, eat it with a spoon.
Method 4 of 4: Making Dragon Fruit Sorbet
Step 1. Make a sorbet from 2 dragon fruit
Cut the dragon fruit in half and scrape the flesh. Cut into small sizes.
Beautiful dragon fruit skin can be a beautiful serving bowl. Freeze the dragon fruit skin if you wish to serve the sorbet in the skin
Step 2. Crush the dragon fruit with other ingredients
Put the dragon fruit in a blender with 180 ml of water, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Set the “pulse” function on the blender and blend all the ingredients until smooth.
Step 3. Pour the mixture into the ice cream mold
Follow the directions on the mold to freeze the sorbet.
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If you don't have an ice cream mold, you can still make sorbet by following these steps:
- Pour the sorbet into the dish for baking. Cover the top of the dish with plastic wrap and place in the freezer.
- After 2 hours, the sorbet will be partially frozen. Stir the sorbet with a spoon, cover the dish with plastic again, and place it back in the freezer.
- Stir the sorbet every two hours for eight hours.
- After eight hours, let the sorbet freeze overnight.
Step 4. Transfer the frozen sorbet to the dragon fruit peel bowl
Serve with angel food cake, pound cake, or other types of light pastry.
