Dragonfruit
Dragonfruit or Pitaya is the fruit of a tropical cactus from the rainforests of Central and Northern South America. Dragonfruit was first introduced into Queensland in the early 1980's. It is now grown in Queensland, the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia and New South Wales. Fruit are large, between 150-600 g and brightly coloured pink, crimson or red with fleshy green scales. The flesh is white or red with many tiny black seeds.
Selection, Storage and Availability
Choose Australian dragonfruit where possible. Look for fresh looking fruit that feels heavy. Store in the fridge.
Uses
The fruit is generally eaten fresh, it can be chilled and cut in half to reveal the attractive flesh and either sliced or scooped out with a spoon. The delicately sweet flesh is crisp and refreshing, and can also be used in fruit salads, marmalades, jellies, ices and drinks.
Nutrition Information
Dragon fruit helps control levels of glucose blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes (and type 1 diabetes by some reports). Dragonfruit is full of dietary fibre and vitamin C.
