Wordless Wednesday .... "Dragon Fruit"

We love the "daily special" FoodBuzz Challenges and often we are challenged to cook with some very unusual items. One of the items that really intrigued us was this...

What is it?.........................

Dragon Fruit

Where does it grow?......... 

It is a beautiful fruit grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel. 

How do you prepare it?....  

It is actually the fruit of a type of cactus, so you place the dragon fruit over a cutting board or other clean surface, cut the fruit straight down the middle with a sharp knife. It will cut quite easily. 

Cut through to the other side, so that you can separate the fruit into 2 sections. Inside the flesh may be white or red - both will have tiny black edible seeds, just like kiwi fruit, take a tablespoon and scoop out the inside meat of the fruit. Making sure all of the pink skin has been removed. Do not eat any of the pink skin... it is not eatable. You can eat the fruit just plain in slices or cubes, you can add it to summer salads or you could try it our way... See recipe below.

What does it taste like?.....  

It fruit tastes wonderful! - sweet and crunchy, with a flavor that's like a cross between kiwi and pear.

What recipe would you suggest using this mystery Ingredient?..... 

Dragon Fruit Sorbet

Ingredients:
2 dragon fruits (also known as pitaya or pitahaya)
3/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon agave nectar or simple syrup 

Directions:
Cut the dragon fruit in half. Scoop out the flesh. Reserve the halves for serving, if desired. Freeze the halves until you are ready to fill them (to help them maintain their shape). Meanwhile, place the pulp in the blender along with the water, lime juice and agave nectar. Pulse until smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen. Spoon into halves and serve. If you are not ready to eat, spoon the sorbet into the halves, wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap then freeze until serving.