Spotlight: Pitaya
WHAT IS THIS mysterious FRUIT!?
Pitaya, also known as Dragon Fruit or Strawberry Pear, has a faint, sweet taste… something like a mix between a kiwi and a pear. Some varieties of Pitaya have white flesh, or pulp, on the inside but those with red flesh are richer in nutrients and flavor. We prefer to look for these! And they are readily available in the freezer section at most natural foods stores
Pitaya is a super fruit indigenous to Central and South America but is now harvested all around the globe. It grows on a cactus in tropical climates and is now readily available in multiple forms… fresh, frozen or even powdered.
How to Eat a Pitaya:
Wash and dry your pitaya and cut it in half lengthwise.
Peel the pitaya or use a spoon to scoop out the flesh (much like an avocado) you can also use a melon baller which provides a beautiful presentation.
Cut into slices or cubes
Pairs well with other tropical fruit and or with a squeeze of lime.
Pitaya is a great source of energy and the perfect base to a smoothie bowl It’s low calorie, fat free, and provides a variety of vitamins and minerals. Pitaya is packed with pre-biotics which support gut health, and some people find that the fruit can have a laxative effect (perhaps start slow!)
Packed with fiber, pitaya contains 7 grams in a single one cup serving! Other nutrients worth noting:
Carotenoids (may reduce cancer risk).
Lycopene (may improve heart health and reduce cancer risk).
Magnesium (important for cell function, and dragon fruit provides 18% of the recommended daily amount).
Iron (important for healthy blood and energy, and dragon fruit contains 8% of the recommended daily intake).
Vitamin C (helps your body absorb the iron and boosts immune system health).
RECIPES:
Pink Pitaya Berry Smoothie Bowl (like a pb + j, but so much better…)
Don’t be fooled by the vibrant magenta color… the flavor is quite mild and for this reason we pair our pitaya with other flavorful ingredients to enhance it’s wonderful subtleness…
Ingredients
Frozen pitaya smoothie pack (we love Pitaya Foods brand)
1 frozen banana, sliced
1 cup frozen sweet dark cherries (or frozen raspberries work well too)
2 T vanilla protein powder (we love k’chava)
1 cup coconut water or nut milk of your choice
Toppings:
3-4 sliced strawberries (or try freeze dried, we love the crunch!)
1 tablespoon of peanut butter: drizzle or dollop on top
1/4 sliced additional banana
other optional toppings we love: cacao nibs, coconut flakes, hemp seeds.
Instructions:
Add cherries or raspberries, frozen pitaya (cut into pieces), frozen banana, and protein powder to your high speed blender.
Add coconut water and blend ingredients until smooth, slowly adding more liquid to desired consistency (we try to keep ours thick! you will need to stop and scrape blender a few times)
Once blended, pour into your favorite beautiful bowl and top with sliced strawberry, peanut butter and your other chosen garnishes.
Step out into the sun and enjoy!
Pink Pitaya Lemonade:
1/2 pink pitaya smoothie pack, crushed or cut into small cubes
2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 T maple syrup or agave nectar
4oz Sparkling Water
(optional addition: 2 oz tequila!)
Combine all ingredients in a beautiful glass with crushed ice and garnish with:
fresh mint, sliced lemon, or edible flower!
cheers!