Exotic Ingredients~What is Dragon Fruit?

I have heard dragon fruit mentioned several times and, not knowing what it was, today I looked it up!

So, what is dragon fruit?

Dragon fruit is a beautiful fruit grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and Israel. The plant is actually a type of cactus, and the fruit comes in 3 colors: 2 have pink skin, but with different colored flesh (one white, the other red), while another type is yellow with white flesh. Dragon fruit is low in calories and offers numerous nutrients, including Vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, plus fiber and antioxidants.

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

It is not known exactly where the dragon fruit originated, but it is thought to have come from South America. The French are believed to have brought the dragon fruit to Vietnam over a hundred years ago. Dragon fruits were grown there to be eaten by royalty and very wealthy families

Dragon fruit grows on a tree like this.

Here is a yummy sounding recipe!

Dragon Fruit Sorbet

INGREDIENTS
2 dragon fruits
3/4 c. cold water
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp sugar

DIRECTIONS
Cut the dragon fruit in half. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Reserve the halves for serving,if desired. Freeze the halves until you are ready to fill them.

Place the pulp of the dragon fruit in your food processor along with the water,lemon juice and sugar. Pulse until smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen. Spoon the sorbet into the frozen halves,or freeze the sorbet until ready to serve.

Makes about 2 cups of sorbet.

Sources:

about.com

google.com

webgeek.com

sugarlaws.com