FOOD DANCE - DRAGON FRUIT by Linda Popple

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This is such a beautiful fruit with its pinks and greens.  I was curious about how this fruit got its name.  I found the answer at Natural Actives.

According to the legend the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons. During a battle when the dragon breathed fire the last thing to emerge would be the fruit. When the dragon was slain the fruit was collected by the victorious soldiers and presented to the Emperor as a coveted treasure.

The soldiers would then butcher the dragon and eat the flesh. It was believed that those who feasted on the flesh would be endowed with the strength and ferocity of the dragon and that they too would be coveted by the Emperor.

It could be that the story came into popular folklore when the pitaya was first introduced into Asia from South America as a way of making this new and strange looking fruit their own.However it happened the legend of the dragon fruit certainly adds to the marketing story of this amazing natural ingredient.

Now that you know the legend behind the fruit, the next question is what do I do with it?  First of all it is very easy and good just to eat it.  Wash and cut in half.  Scoop out the fruit and slice.  It can then be eaten in a fruit salad, smoothie, grilled, and so many ways.  The skin will make you sick, if eaten so just be careful.  

Skyy Vodka has infused dragon fruit into their vodka and I have included a video for you to watch on how to make a few cocktails.  These look really good.  Now I am off to the liquor store!