Dragon Fruit Salad Duo #FreakyFruitsFriday #MelissasProduce #Sponsored

 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Melissa's Produce in conjunction with #FreakyFruitsFriday.
I received complimentary product for the purpose of review and recipe development,

but all opinions are honest and they are my own. This page may contain affiliate links.

Dragon fruits look really cool. Here's a brief introduction to the dragon fruit. I received several dragon fruit from Melissa's Produce* in preparation for an upcoming #FreakyFruitsFriday event. Starting this Friday - and for two subsequent Fridays - a group of bloggers will be sharing posts that utilize the 'Freaky Fruits' line from Melissa's.

Reviews at my table are usually mixed. "They are cool looking, but they don't taste like anything really." That sentiment seemed to be mirrored by several of my friends. After I posted a photo of them, I got:

• Well there’s another fruit I’ve never tasted in my life—gonna have to go get one and check it out.
• There are two or three varieties and one of them is spectacular! Now if I can remember which one it is.
• The ones we've had haven't tasted like much other than sweet water, but they look really cool!
• I've had a ton of dragon fruit while on business in China. I was determined to understand why it's so popular. All I can come up with: it looks cool.

Yes, I think it's the cool factor, too, because 'sweet water' seems an apt description to the flavor.

Dragon Fruit Salad Duo

Instead of going sweet on sweet, I decided to test these in two different salads. I am almost loathe to call these recipes. But, if you ever end up with dragon fruit and are wondering that to do with it. These are a good thing to make. And, again, they look pretty cool, right?

Salad One

Ingredients serves 6

• 3 dragon fruit, scooped out and cubed with the outside kept as the serving bowl
• 1 tomato, cubed
• pinch of salt
• 1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 T olive oil
• 2 T fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 t fresh mint, chopped

Procedure
In a mixing bowl place the cubed dragon fruit and tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Toss gently and fold in cilantro and mint. Spoon into dragon fruit "bowl." Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Salad Two

And, then, this one...I loved it. I adored the simplicity and marveled at the richness of flavors from such a simple preparation.

Ingredients

• 1 C dragon fruit, diced (outside reserved for serving)
• 1 C tomato, diced
• 1 C mango, diced
• 1 C roasted corn kernels, removed from cob
• 1 C jicama, diced
• 1/4 C fresh herbs (I used a mixture of mint and cilantro)
• 1 to 2 t jalapeno, diced
• juice from 1 organic lemon
• freshly ground salt
• freshly ground pepper

Procedure

Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Toss to coat everything with lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes. You can spoon the salad back into the dragon fruit skins or serve it in a small bowl.

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*Disclosure: I received product for free from the sponsor for recipe development, however, I have received no additional compensation for my post. My opinion is 100% my own and 100% accurate.