- Submitted by Dahlia
(Pitaya Shake)
Dragon Fruit, also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya or Strawberry Pear is the fruit of a cactus plant. These days it is commonly found in India. I have mostly seen 2 varieties of this fruit- the one with white flesh and the second one with bright purplish red flesh. Both these varieties have a bright pink skin with spines. The flesh has many thick black seeds distributed throughout the flesh. I have seen in the net that there is also a variety with yellow skin and white flesh.
While choosing dragon fruit, go for bright colored fruits with no brown spots or bruises. When pressing the fruit, it should not feel very firm. Only then the fruits is ripe and will taste good.
The flesh of the dragon fruit can be consumed. It has high water content and is low in calories. It tastes somewhat like kiwi except that it is not sour. Usually the fruit is cut into half lengthwise and then into quarters. The flesh is then scooped with a spoon or you can slice it with a knife. I also sometimes cut the whole fruit into wedges and peel the skin which comes out easily. Once you have the pieces of flesh, you can enjoy it raw or use it to make milkshake, lassi or fruit salad. For those who have never tasted this fruit before, please do not have very high expectations. It has a very bright look but the taste is pretty bland. As with all fruits with high water content, it gives a very fresh feeling. I personally enjoy the fresh feeling.
Today I have made a milkshake with the white variety of dragon fruit. It is my daughters favorite. She enjoys having such healthy milkshakes in the evenings after school instead of plain milk. In Chennai, dragon fruit milkshake is served in most juice shops. Go ahead and make it yourself at home today.
Recipe for Dragon Fruit Milkshake
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Cooking time: NIL
Serves: 2
Ingredients
- Dragon Fruit – 1/2
- Milk – 1 cup
- Sugar – 1 or 2 tbsp
- Ice Cubes – 4-5
- Vanilla Essence or Rose Essence - 2 drops (optional)
Method
- Cut the dragon fruit into half lengthwise. You can easily scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
- Take the scooped out flesh in a blender along with boiled and chilled milk, ice cubes, sugar and vanilla or rose essence.
- Blend it for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour into serving glasses and enjoy.
Detailed Steps for making Dragon Fruit Milkshake
Cut the dragon fruit into half and scoop out the flesh.
Take the scooped out flesh, milk, ice cubes, sugar and vanilla essence in a blender. Blend it till it becomes smoothie like.
You don’t have to do this but if you prefer you can pass it through a strainer to remove some of the seeds.
Pour into serving glasses, garnish with a slice of dragon fruit and enjoy chilled.
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