PAPA TRAVELS - AND FINDS "GAS STATION DRAGONFRUIT!" - TEXAS EDITION
Today I learned that you may be able to find Pitaya (dragonfruit) for sale at the gas station!
I've never seen it before in my life, but it turns out that some gas stations actually sell Dragonfruit sometimes! As I was checking out at a gas station south of where @xtrodinarypilot lives, I noticed something interesting.
They actually had Dragonfruit for sale at the gas station! Normally, gas stations in a lot of the United States will carry fruits like apples, oranges and bananas. They did have bananas too, but I had never seen Pitaya for sale at a gas station yet. I do a bit of travelling, and it is interesting to see how items available at certain stores will vary based upon the geographical location or predominant ethnicity of the clientele.
I ALSO GROW MY OWN!
For those of you who have followed @papa-pepper for a while now, you may remember my "ancient" post about propagating the plant : https://steemit.com/gardening/@papa-pepper/papa-peppers-guide-to-plant-propagation-pitaya-and-prickly-pear
For newer followers, here is a video I recorded a bit ago about my Pitaya Plants.
EATING ON THE GO!
While I am growing some at home, often it is more difficult to eat healthy when you travel. Fast food is so readily available and most "gas station food" is not exactly health food, if you know what I mean. Finding a rare treat like this was an opportunity that I just had to take advantage of!
We picked up four, as shown here by the @little-peppers. With the discount for purchasing two at a time, I think that they were around $2.50 USD each. Compared to the price tag I've seen up in Missouri of around $5.00 USD each. Since these are a more tropical cacti that are frequently grown in places like South Texas and Florida. The ones that I am growing in my garden came from a Pitaya grower in Florida.
Since @mama-pepper was planning on breast-feeding our newest little for a bit, the rest of the @little-peppers and I decided to enjoy one of the Dragonfruit right away, and save the other three for later. Here are a few photos of the @little-peppers enjoying their snack and sharing with one another.
A FRUIT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR!
If you noticed, the inside of the Dragonfruit looks similar to a Kiwi fruit with all of the tiny black seeds inside. However, the white flesh of the fruit is quite a difference from the vibrant green of the Kiwi fruit. Interestingly enough, some Pitaya are also a much more vibrant color on the inside.
WHITE FLESH PITAYA
PINK FLESH PITAYA
This last photo was from my post "There's a Dragon(fruit) in my Garden". I'm not sure what variety we have growing since our did not fruit last year, but I had picked up some ripe Dragonfruit in Missouri last year that happened to be pink on the inside.
You can grow Pitaya from seed if you want to, and we have a few little ones at home growing from the pink fleshed Pitaya pictured above. Since we are down in south, south Texas near the border of Mexico, there are actually some Pitaya growers in the nearby area. I am considering stopping in at one and checking it out with the family, but we will have to see if we have time.
DID YOU KNOW?
Dragonfruit grow from a succulent cactus and have about 10% of the DRV of Vitamin C in just one fruit. Also, they are high in antioxidants. The flesh is a most interesting texture and has peculiar "melts in your mouth" type consistency to it. It is a little strange, but we really enjoy it!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-dragonfruit-at-gas-station
Until next time…
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I had many Pitaya fruit drinks (pink flesh) during my time in Nicaragua. I think it was usually mixed with lime juice and sugar. It is my favorite tropical fruit drink from that country. I didn't know it was also called dragon fruit and came in white fleshed varieties as well, or that it could be obtained here in the U.S., let alone in a gas station!
Great post! Steem on!
P.S. The @little-peppers are adorable!
Cool! Glad you learned a bit. I need to learn some different ways to use them too, as I mostly just eat them raw.
I am from South Africa and have not seen these in any of our shops so don't know how it tastes, but it looks delicious.
How would you compare the taste of the dragon fruit compared to kiwi @papa-pepper? I also love homegrown fruits and vegs.
nice advise
Kiwi is Tangy and has a certain Tartness to it, while the Pitaya is sweet and smooth. Not completely sure of what more to say. I'll think about that specifically when I enjoy it next time and see.
Wow... DRAGON FRUIT!!! @papa-pepper There is alot of plant in beside of their own house in the philippines... especially to our neighbor... easy to grow even thoug its take a time to grow. But when it comes in right age, you will get a lot of it. And you will feel good! Because its your own grown plant! 😇😀😇
I have a friend who grows dragonfruit in his back yard here in Southern Cali...
I've had some, but haven't yet developed a taste for it. Thus far, I prefer Kiwi... ;)
😄😇😄
Can't say i've ever had Dragonfruit, but i'd give it a try! Stay safe while traveling @papa-pepper! If you make it to Tennessee at any point, give us a shout!
We need to find out how many Steemians are around Tennessee and have a SteemTenn Fest. I know there a few in Kentucky. I am right in between Nashville and Knoxville. Dale Hollow is only about 45 minutes away. A few us have contemplated having Steemtucky also!
Let me know, we are not that far away..... just saying.....
Lol, your version of far and my version of far are two different lengths, my friend. I see 4 hours and I'm like "man this is going to be a long trip". You, on the other hand, are like, "Peppers saddle up! It's only one ocean to get there", lol.
Of course, I would tell you if we decided to do something like that. I would try to let the whole community know so we could try to get as many people together as possible.
Very cool! It's nice meeting a fellow Tennesteemer! We're north of Nashville, but I've been to Knoxville a few times for four wheeling trips. I'd like to head out to Dale Hollow for a camping/fishing trip.
Yeah, we go primitive camping at Dale Hollow about twice a year. It only costs a dollar a night and the children always love it. If you love four wheeling there are some great places to go around Monterey, Tn too.
LOL I think it's a Texas thing. From my recollections of my time there, I was struck by how Texans thought little of a drive of a thousand miles to visit 'neighbors'.
It never really struck me how culture can affect distance perception. But, now that I think about it...I wrote a post a few weeks ago where I had to drive about 25 minutes to the next town to use the post office. A fellow Steemian from India was like, "that's not a long drive at all"...From my understanding, it's not for someone from India. So crazy, how even geographical location even affects your perception of distance.
It may not be Memphis in May, but I'm down to head up to Music City. Any excuse to travel.
"any excuse to travel" you sound like me lol.
Memphis would be awesome to meet up in. I went about 12 years ago and need an excuse to make it back.
The video does seem from "ages ago" as I remember watching it when it was just starting to get warm outside. It's amazing what you can find in different parts of the country in regard to the local culture and gas stations. I would put papaya at the top of the list of the more unique foods I have heard of being found at a gas station.
The little ones look super happy digging into their vittles!
The sure did enjoy it, as did I! Thanks man!
Do you like to eat dragon fruit master @papa-pepper It is great for health.
I really do. I enjoy them a lot!
I have seen dragon fruit here in my place but its rare
It gets shipped up north in the US from the south, but I'm trying to grow my own to cut out the middle man! Thanks for checking it out.
Nice information about dragonfruit,High Appreciated for your natural habitats