Chips and salsa is always popular appetizer or snack. How about surprising your party guests with something different? This deliciously tasty dragon fruit salsa makes a great snack!
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If you are entertaining, I have tons of crowd-pleasing gluten free appetizer recipes to try!
What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is a wild looking fruit that is also known as pitaya.
I found dragon fruit marked way down at our local Oakmont Produce shop. It was on the verge of being overripe and just begging to be put to good use. This is my first time with this fruit, and I found it to have a really mild flavor.
Dragon fruit is usually a bright pink and it looks like it has scales on it. Look for the vivid hot pink outer rind as that means it is really fresh dragon fruit.
When you cut inside the dragon fruit, you will see the fun polka dot center fruit. You do not eat the rind, just the fruit inside.
This is one fruit I have yet to try so when I saw it at the store, I had to buy it. It has a unique flavor and looks almost like dice when it is cut up for salsa. Talk about a fun-looking appetizer! You can even make a cocktail like this Dragon Fruit Cocktail out of it.
I kid you not; these bring back those memories of giant fuzzy dice hanging from my rearview mirror when I was a teenager :-).
🔪 Recipe step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Peel the rind off your dragon fruit and chop it into small bite-sized cubes.
Step 2: Add the dragon fruit to the bowl and add lemon juice, chives, and diced jalapeño. Mix well and allow it to sit in the bowl.
I recommend letting the salsa sit for an hour after mixing the ingredients so that the flavors can blend together. It makes a big difference and makes the salsa outstanding!
If you are looking for another delicious dip to serve, try this easy hatch chile hummus too!
Recipe FAQ:
As fancy as dragon fruit looks, it is a bit of a buzz kill. Dragon fruit has a very little flavor...and tends to pick up flavor from what it is mixed with. This is why dragon fruit is perfect in this salsa recipe.
Dragon fruit is a great source of fiber and vitamins, including Vitamin A, Iron, Vitamin C, and Calcium.
This salsa will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an air-tight container.
More Delicious Gluten Free Appetizers
- Sautéd Gluten Free Padron Peppers
- Black Bean Skillet Nachos
- Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Dip
- Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms
📖 Recipe
Dragon Fruit Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 large dragon fruit * see note
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 2 tablespoons diced chives
- dash salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a medium bowl and toss together.
- Allow to sit for 1 hour so flavors blend together.
- Serve with gluten free corn tortilla chips.
Notes
- When shopping for dragon fruit, look for a bright pink rind. This means the dragon fruit is fresh and ripe.
- Feel free to spice this up with extra jalapeños.
- You can substitute lime instead of lemon if you prefer.
- This salsa will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Store in an air-tight container.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Elena
This is a great idea, Sandi! It looks so refreshing!
Kristina
oh WOW - I love dragon fruit - reminds me of spending summers in Hawaii as a kid! I have never thought to make salsa - will have to try this next time I go to my favorite Asian market, they often have GOOD dragon fruit!
Sandi Gaertner
Awesome Kristina. This dragon fruit was on the verge of being over ripe so I can't wait to try a dragon fruit a little fresher.
Arman @ thebigmansworld
Seriously loving the use of dragon fruit!! My grandparents ate it with hot sauce in Malaysia or this fish sauce- It was actually really good! Now I'm craving some dragon fruit!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Arman, I love the idea of the hot sauce combining with the sweetness of the fruit....sounds fabulous.
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too
So cool. I have never had dragon fruit. I have to try it.
christine
I have always wanted to try dragon fruit! I see it on TV all the time but I've never seen it sold locally! This makes me want it even more now. I'm going on the hunt!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you find some Christine...you are so creative I know you would have fun with it 🙂
Suzy @ The Mediterranean Dish
Wow! What an awesome idea. Never thought of making dragon fruit salsa! This would be so fun for cinco de mayo!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Suzy!