Odd Foods: Dragonfruit
As mentioned before, New York City is a veritable paradise for those who seek the weird in the world of food (and many other worlds… should you choose to stumble down those alleys.)
On numerous occasions I’ve discovered something new simply by walking the streets and stalls of Chinatown. Many of the most prominent stalls along the Eastern end of Canal St. offer a variety of oddly shaped, festively colored, and reasonably priced fruits. One that has often caught my eye is the (seasonally) short lived Dragonfruit, commonly known as a Pitaya.
A pitaya is the fruit of several cactus species, and sensibly occupies an important place in many culinary cultures: they are found across the globe from Asia to the Americas.
The skin of the fruit is somewhat leathery, featuring leafy offshoots. It sits comfortably in the hand, but can weigh anywhere from .25 lb to 1.3 lbs. Wikipedia notes that fruit up to 2.2 lbs has been recorded.
The flesh, a bright white speckled with small black seeds, is similar to that of the kiwi with somewhat more of a physical snap (in texture, not taste.) The red (in this case, though there are other varietals) skin is not consumed and has been known to be fouled by pesticides with farm grown fruits. The flavor is mild and acts as an excellent palate cleanser between courses of more strongly flavored foods. Since it is low in calories you can consume quite a bit of it without worry.
The Dragonfruit is relatively expensive when compared to more common fruits, but it’s flashy appearance and abundant flesh make it an excellent addition to many meals, and has never failed to illicit a raised eyebrow from visiting dinner guests.
Leave a Reply