Portions: 4 servings Calories: 97kcal |
Dragon fruit in ginger syrup is a wonderful dragon fruit dessert that combines this beautiful tropical fruit with a hint of spiciness from the ginger in a simple but tasty dessert. And below the recipe you'll many other ways to serve and enjoy it in some easy dragon fruit recipes.
Why I ❤️ it • Recipe • Ingredients • Preparation
Dragon fruit dessert recipe.
Why I ❤️ it
So you have some dragon fruit at the market or grocery store and are wondering what you can do with it (aside from eating the dragon fruit flesh as a fresh fruit). I have a great idea to enhance the look and flavor of the stunning pitaya or dragonfruit.
Served in a sweet syrup with spices and ginger, this dragonfruit recipe is a great little dairy-free, gluten-free and dessert that is served chilled and wonderful during the hottest days of summer. It's really easy to make and take very little time too.
Dragon fruit dessert recipe
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Utensils and tools
- Saucepan or pot
- Potato peeler or mandolin
Ingredients
- 2 dragon fruit, peeled
- 1 piece of ginger root
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 12 allspice berries
- ½ cup of brown sugar
Preparation
Before starting, please make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.
1. How to cut the dragon fruit
Cut the dragon fruit into cubes or into balls using a melon baller. Be careful with splatter, the juice may leave stains.
2. Cutting the ginger
Cut the ginger into very thin slices with a potato peeler or mandolin (or very sharp knife). You will only need 6 slices.
3. Boiling the spices
In a small saucepan or pot, combine ginger, cinnamon, allspice, sugar and 6 cups of water.
Boil over medium temperature until the liquid has reduced to half.
4. Cooking the dragon fruit
Remove the ginger and allspice and add the dragon fruit. Simmer until the liquid has reduced to half.
Remove from the stove and cool to room temperature.
5. Cooking the dragon fruit
Chill before serving (3-4 hours).
You can store in the refrigerator it in a lidded jar for 3-4 days.
More dragon fruit recipes
Looking for more ideas to serve dragon fruit? Here's what more you can make with a pitaya:
Dragon fruit salad:
Peel and cut the dragon fruit into cubes and combine with diced strawberries, diced melon, and diced mango. Serve in a bowl drizzled with maple syrup or honey.
Dragon fruit juice
Peel and dice the dragon fruit and combine with 2 cups of water. Blend to liquidize and sieve to get rid of seeds. Sweeten with honey, sugar or sweetener and serve with ice. You may add the juice of a lemon if you want.
Dragon fruit popsicles
Pour the dragon fruit juice (above) into popsicle molds and freeze.
Dragon fruit smoothie
Peel and dice the dragon fruit and combine with 1 sliced banana and 3 cups of milk, almond milk, or coconut milk and a cup of ice. Blend and serve.
Dragon fruit smoothie bowl
Peel and dice the dragon fruit, blend with 2 cups of greek yogurt. Scoop the mixture into two breakfast bowls and top with sliced fruits (like mango, banana, raspberries, kiwi, or strawberry) and add granola, or coconut flakes on top. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey.
Dragon fruit syrup
Peel and dice the dragon fruit and combine with 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a cup of white sugar. Boil over low heat until the liquid has reduced to half. Sieve to remove solids. Pour the dragon fruit syrup on shaved ice (or blend with ice) for a refreshing summer dessert.
Dragon fruit jam
Peel and dice pitahaya and combine with 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ cup white sugar. Simmer over low heat until the liquid is completely evaporated. Place in a jar with a lid and let it cool. Yields about ½ cup. Double the ingredients to make twice as much.
Nutritional information
Calories: 553kcal - Carbohydrates: 23g - Protein: 36g - Fat: 35g - Saturated Fat: 14g - Cholesterol: 116mg - Sodium: 1642mg - Potassium: 765mg - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 13g - Vitamin A: 1030IU - Vitamin C: 9.1mg - Calcium: 587mg - Iron: 2.2mg
FAQs
What is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit, also known as 'pitaya' or 'or pitahaya belongs to the cactus family and its name means 'scaled fruit'. It is a striking hot pink color, with a spiny exterior.
What does dragon fruit taste like?
Dragon fruit has a mild to sweet flavor, and a kiwi-like texture. It has a taste vaguely resembling pears.
How to tell if dragon fruit is ripe?
Dragon fruit should be firm, but the color should be mostly a bright fuchsia.
How much does a dragon fruit weigh?
Pitaya fruits or dragonfruit weigh about one pound on average.
What is dragon fruit good for?
Dragon fruit has a vivid fuchsia-colored pulp peppered with small black seeds, which is either scooped out with a spoon and eaten, or blended and strained to make the juice. It is rich in fiber, and it is said to have therapeutic qualities and its use as a medicinal herb dates back to pre-Colombian times, and it's believed to help alleviate common stomach problems.
How to eat a dragon fruit?
You can eat the dragon fruit as just fruit, liquidized in a blender and strained as juice, and it can be used as a natural dye and a food coloring, as well as a raw material in the preparation of other foods such as jams, sweets, and preserves.
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Pitaya in Ginger Syrup, and Best Dragon Fruit Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 dragon fruits
- 1 piece ginger root
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 12 allspice berries (malagueta)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 6 cup water
Instructions
Cut dragon fruit
- Cut the dragon fruit into cubes or into balls using a melon baller. Be careful with splatter, the juice may leave stains.
Cut ginger
- Cut the ginger into very thin slices with a potato peeler or mandolin (or very sharp knife). You will only need 6 slices.
Boil spices
- In a small saucepan or pot, combine ginger, cinnamon, allspice, sugar and 6 cups of water.Boil over medium temperature until the liquid has reduced to half.
Cook dragonfruit
- Remove the ginger and allspice and add the dragon fruit. Simmer until the liquid has reduced to half.Remove from the stove and cool to room temperature.
Serve or store
- Chill before serving (3-4 hours).You can store in the refrigerator it in a lidded jar for 3-4 days.
Originally published on Jun 8, 2012
CultureChameleon
I love Dragon fruit. I had it when I went to Asia. They actually carry it in my local supermarket now- Wegmans in Northern VA (US)
Mistress of Spices
How interesting...had no idea that dragon fruit is common in Central & South America too, but it makes sense. Here in Thailand, we get the white dragon fruit more commonly but the pink ones are available too. This sounds like a great recipe!
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Charles F. Sommers
Most of the Asian markets here in Nashville, Tennessee stock dragon fruit but it is quite pricey, about $5.00 each. I will probably wait until its popularity brings the price down. When cut open it resembles the fruit of the prickly pear or "tuna." Is there any similarity in the taste?
Tia Clara
They look a bit alike inside, but dragon fruit is sweeter and juicier. I am not a fan of prickly pear. My dad loves it though.
momof2
Your recipes remind me of the food my father used to make for me and my siblings. It brings many good memories. I live in new york city and was wondering where exactly can i buy dragon fruit?
Tia Clara
I would guess that farmers' markets are good places to start.