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Dragonfruit Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to dragonfruit products
About dragonfruit
A visually stunning piece of fruit, the dragonfruit is actually a type of cactus that originated in Mexico. Still popular in Latin American and Southeast Asia, dragonfruit might appear intimidating with its prickly bright skin and green scales, but they're relatively easy to prepare. They weigh about 8 to 12 ounces and are about 4 to 6 inches long. The fruit gets its name from its appearance since its pointy scales are reminiscent of a dragon. You might also find it listed as pitahaya, pitaya, dragon pearl fruit, and strawberry pear.
Its sweet taste is similar to that of other tropical fruit, and many people say the taste is like a combination of watermelon, kiwi, and pear. The creamy texture is reminiscent of kiwi, especially with the smallish seeds.
How to tell if dragonfruit is ripe
Dragonfruit is available year-round, but it's in season from summer through early fall. When selecting dragonfruit, look for pieces that have bright skin. Dragonfruit with green skin is unripe. It's fine if the skin has a few blemishes, but it might be too ripe if it has several blotches. When looking for dragonfruit, these four types have the most common shapes and colors:
- White flesh and pink skin: Most dragonfruit fall into this category, but it's the least sweet out of the four. Look for varieties called Cosmic Charlie, Alice, and Guyute.
- Red or pink flesh with pink skin: This type is bigger and sweeter than the white-fleshed fruits. You'll find varieties such as Bloody Mary and Red Jaina.
- Purple flesh with pink skin: With this type, you'll find the American Beauty variety in stores.
- White flesh with yellow skin: This type is the hardest to find, but it's the sweetest.
Pick up the fruit, and press the skin. The skin should give a little but not be too soft or mushy. If the skin is extremely firm, the fruit will need a few days to ripe.
How to prepare dragonfruit
The most common way of eating dragonfruit is to enjoy it raw and slightly chilled. When you're ready to eat it, you prepare it much like you would an avocado. Peel and cut the fruit into sections, discarding the skin and consuming the flesh. Unlike many other types of fruit, the dragonfruit's skin is inedible.
Another option is to cut the fruit in half and scoop out the flesh using a melon baller or spoon. The fruit holds its shape nicely once cut, so you can also dice it into fruit salads, and it pairs well with seafood such as scallops and mahi-mahi. You can also throw it on the grill and sprinkle it with a dash of chili powder, blend it into smoothies, or add it to yogurt.
Now that your mouth is watering and your brain is trying to narrow down the dishes you can add dragonfruit to, let Instacart help you with your shopping. Simply open the Instacart app, add dragonfruit to your cart, and an Instacart shopper will get started on your order. You can expect the fruit at your home in as little as 2 hours!
Dragonfruit Near Me
Buy your favorite Dragonfruit online with Instacart. Order Red Dragonfruit, Yellow Dragonfruit, and more from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about dragonfruit
Dragonfruit is an antioxidant-rich fruit that's low in calories. Scientists have studied the antibacterial and nutritional properties for their ability to help with digestion, enhance the immune system, and increase energy levels. This fruit includes the following vitamins and nutrients:
- Dietary fiber: Dragonfruit is loaded with fiber, boasting 7 grams for each 1-cup serving. Fiber assists with digestion and keeps you full, so it can help with weight management.
- Iron: Dragonfruit is one of the few fruits with iron, which boosts your immunity and energy level.
- Magnesium: This mineral is essential for cell function, and dragonfruit has almost 25% of the recommended daily amount.
- Vitamin C: This vitamin boosts your immune system, helps your body absorb iron, and promotes healthy skin.
When you bring dragonfruit home from the store, you can keep ripe fruit on the counter for several days. To keep the fruit even longer, place it in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator. You want to seal the bag because the fruit can pick up odors and flavors from other foods in the refrigerator.
Avoid cutting the dragonfruit until you want to eat it. After it's cut, the fruit should be refrigerated in a tightly sealed container where it will keep for up to five days, depending on how ripe it already is.
You can also freeze dragonfruit. Peel the fruit and cut it into small cubes. Place the fruit on a baking sheet, and freeze it for three hours. Transfer the frozen fruit to a freezer-safe bag or container, and put the fruit in the freezer. It will keep for nine to 12 months.