I think it's a rare and wonderful thing to live for decades on this planet and still come across an entirely new food, one I've never seen before, practically shouting out my name at the local supermarket. In this case, it was a Dragon Fruit. I'd popped in to the market on a quick errand and while passing through the produce section, this little superstar caught my eye:
Immediate thought: "What on earth is THAT?!"
Followed closely by: "How fast can I get it home to photograph?"
And then: "Better buy two!"
The produce sign said the Dragon Fruit is more properly known as a Pitaya, or Pitahaya, but I prefer the more dramatic flair of "Dragon Fruit", don't you?
One of my mantras to my photography students is "When there's nothing to shoot, shoot fruit." But it's a spectacular bonus if the fruit just happens to look like a cross between a tropical fish and a blossoming flower--mixed with just a touch of space alien.
With the golden light of morning, the fruit shoot began.
Soon the kids padded down the stairs in their pajamas, and since they're both budding photographers with cameras of their own, they got right into the act. The three of us circled the plate of fruit and snapped from every angle (including standing on the coffee table for the overhead shots...shhhh, don't tell!). It was like a paparazzi PJ party for the dragon fruit.
FACT: When there's a camera around (never mind three cameras!), our dog is not far behind. Delilah is an unapologetic camera hog, always nuzzling her way in for a close-up.
Okay, back on topic...
Two mysteries surrounded our dragon fruit:
- How should we prepare it for eating? (Slice it up? Peel off the skin? What about the "petals"?)
- What does the dragon fruit look like on the inside?
Luckily, there's this little thing called YouTube--perhaps you've heard of it? ;) This video answered the first question. (Here's my Cliff Notes' version: 1. Cut off the ends. 2. Slice down the middle, lengthwise. 3. Peel off the thick pink layer of skin. 4. Slice. 5. Eat.)
I almost wish I hadn't been spoiled by the preparation video because it also answered the second question, and truly, I had no idea the inside of the fruit would resemble a silvery white scoop of snow, dotted with tiny black seeds. (I was imagining it would be filled with little berries.) Well, anyway, the kids were surprised. It's not often that a piece of sliced fruit can get a "WOW! COOOOOOL!" reaction.
Finally, after hundreds of photos (yes, literally), we set about tasting it. Or rather, the kids made me taste it first, kind of like a court jester for the royal family. Although the dragon fruit has a taste all its own, I'd say it's similar to a kiwi crossed with a banana. Unlike its dramatic exterior, it's very understated in flavor--almost bland, yet still pleasant enough. (This fruit surprised me from start to finish.)
And so we've started a new tradition at this house: What mysterious, beautiful food can we discover next? (Any suggestions?) Photographically speaking, the dragon fruit will be a tough act to follow!
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