PAPA TRAVELS - AND FINDS "GAS STATION DRAGONFRUIT!" - TEXAS EDITION

in til •  7 years ago 

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... ;)

😄😇😄

@creatr

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

huh!
I'm a texan..from the Llano Estacado.
currently residing in Berkley East.
and I did not
KNOW THAT!

Now you know!

I've never seen one in person, it looks pretty cool.

There are some crazy varieties out there, and they are all cool looking!

I'm gonna make it my mission to find one in Detroit haha

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

You get 50 points on fruit ninja for slicing one of those!.. thats pretty much as cultured as I got prior to this post.

LOL - Thanks much! I appreciate it!

I've never tried one, but the truth is I'm curious now. As soon as I eat it, I will share my little experience x)

Cool! Track one down and enjoy it. Let us know what you think!

Interesting, I've never seen or even heard of pitaya. I might try some, is it a seasonal fruit?

It is, and can be common in certain places in nearer the equator, especially in some places in Asia. It is getting more popular in the United States.

I love dragon fruits.

Even "gas station" ones?

I only tried the one for the market.

I've never actually tasted one of those. Always wanted to try. Looks delicious, think I'm gonna buy some pretty soon.

To which other fruit would you compare its taste, if any?

Can't really compare it actually. It's kind of in its own world.

Good! All the more reason to try!

I'm glad you found some. The farther south you get, the more likely you can find them just about anywhere.

Yeah, I think I remember a grower in Edinburgh, so I might try to check it out.

@papa-pepper- I like dragonfruit (pitay) because of the crunchy but juicy nature and the seed pattern has a strange appeal for me. Did not know that these have started being available so commonly at Gas stations in US now. I am intrigued by the PINK insides of the one in your garden. Will look up the variety. Thanks for sharing. Your blogs are so simple but so full of life.

I am continuing my passionate focus on wildlife. Today I wrote a blog on Snoozing parrots with my musings about Thomas Carlyle equating parrots to economists. I request you to take a look at it when you have time. Your comments, as always, would be an encouragement and incentive for me to make better blogs. Thanks

I've had the pink flesh dragon fruit a few years back I found it to be juicy but not much flavor to it. thanks for sharing

So many adorable children. How are you not overwhelmed by their cuteness?

I have a certain immunity.... Also, we should have a private chat soon.

Yes, indeed. The open mic post will go up soon, and I was hoping that your voice would help propel it so we can get lots of submissions. Are you on steemit.chat? my handle is improv there as well.

The sweet, smooth, melting texture of the dragonfruit. Oh how i gotta have them again. ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

And another cool thing is that this is the first time i have heard the word Pitaya. Awesome! :)

Cool. Looks like a #til for you too!

That's amazing, I never expected a gas station to be selling it. I have seen in some outdoor markets and Asian food stores.

Right, I never expected it either. Certain markets or grocery stores, sure, but a gas station?

Yes, exactly. As a gas station owner, I would have never have thought of even stocking something like that there. It just seems like something people wouldn't normally buy at a gas station.

Not that I'm normal, but I'll buy!

Actually, maybe I would also buy as well. Dragonfruit is delicious if its really ripe.

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Please , follow and vote me.

Hi @papa-pepper thank you for your post the dragon fruit is a very good fruit. In Thailand we call it "Kheo Mangkorn" it mean the tail of the dragon. We have both kind the white one and the pink purple one. The pink-purple as a sweeter taste but also it is a very strong antioxidant, it can stop cancer cells to grow it is use in the Asian traditional medicine. Love and Happiness

I'm not sure if we have these in Australia to be honest but I'll be looking for them now! Looks delicious.

Oh that's lovely dear @papa-pepper ! I recently did a post on Dragon fruit, maybe it can interest you!
https://steemit.com/minnowtowhale/@progressivechef/name-it-bizarre-fruits-and-vegetables-around-the-world-08
Cheers
@progressivechef

hey @papa-pepper nice post as always, and video as well. thanks for shairing....
upvoted..

I think a lot of these are found in the Phillipines, those baby girl are so cute <3 btw I am new to Steemit, Would appreciate all interest in my profile, Do leave an upvote if you like something and follow, please check my latest post https://steemit.com/steempark/@alexkoshy/i-should-be-able-to-resteem-myself-this-sucks
Steem sign.PNG

Lovely I love dragon fruit. Very pricey here in UK. I was wondering do you think it would be possible to grow in a conservatory in the UK?

I am a very experimental gardener (I use that term lightly) preparing for when I have my homestead. Problem is the weather in the UK make it tricky :)

If ever go there, I know what to look for to eat in a gas station
Happy-01

Dragon fruit kept with lemons :p

I really love dragon fruit,
Thank you for sharing this great articel @papa-peper .

Hmm maybe I need to be growing this cactus, I have the perfect spot for it. Do the deer etc go after it?

@papa-pepper very interesting and entertaining post! such a quality time with kids! They love dragonfruits because they look amazing :P
If you have a moment please review my beetroot soup recipe that I think may be interesting to you. It’s the best dish in the summertime and it's very healthy :) Cheers!

I need to try this one now! upvoted and resteemed. What does it taste like? does it have the flavor similar to kiwi or is the seed the only shared trait?

I've never had one of these fruits. I've been wanting to try one but can't find them here in Tennessee at our stores. I'm thinking of getting a small tree from Florida and growing here in the house until my greenhouse is up. They look delicious 😋

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Hi @papa-pepper, You never know what you'll find at a gas station! lol!
I live in North Idaho. I just saw Dragon fruit at our local grocery store the other day. My son even asked me what it was. It was kinda expensive, so I didn't buy one. But you got my curiosity up, so I am going to go try one! It looks SO cool!
I also checked out your Steemit, and I am now following you. I appreciate your cool posts! Have a fun day!

Gotta try and grow some dragonfruit again.Had seeds last year but they never germinated.They look amazing

I love dragon fruit, my dad grows it and my mum makes all kinds of dishes from it, like pies and jams, but the best one she makes is the fruit chutney, its sooo nice.
Followed you and upvoted.
I'm in the #THL community if you would like to have a look, good bunch of people too. I'm only new to steemit but they have helped me out so much to get started.
Cheers and blessing to you and yours : )

I don't know if I've seen dragonfruit anywhere in person, it's wild that you you found them in a gas station!

Congratulations @papa-pepper!
Your post was mentioned in my hit parade in the following category:

  • Upvotes - Ranked 9 with 490 upvotes

It's pretty cool to see how you sliced them in half so the shell created an instant bowl for the little peppers to eat from!

Our family LOVES Pitaya!!!
Actually, we had it for the first time in Asia and so I thought it was an Asian fruit. But it is from central America.

Once, while in South Texas, I found another low growing cactus that had spiky round fruit. Out of curiousity I carefully cut one open...AND..... pitaya!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, okay it tasted slightly different, but the two must be very closely related. Not at all like a tuna!!!
Thanks for sharing this.
✌ Peace