Dragon Fruit and Mango Spinach Salad Recipe with Jam Vinaigrette

Cooking for two just got a whole lot more exotic with this delightful Dragon Fruit and Mango Spinach Salad with Jam Vinaigrette recipe. This vibrant salad combines the sweet and tangy flavors of dragon fruit and mango with the fresh crunch of spinach, all brought together by a crazy delicious and simple to make jam vinaigrette. Let's dive into how to create this culinary masterpiece, explore variations, and learn more about the star ingredient: dragon fruit.

Top tips for making a Dragon Fruit Spinach Salad

First things first, let’s talk dragon fruit! This tropical gem isn’t just a pretty face; it’s a fun and delicious addition to your salads. Imagine the delight of adding vibrant dragon fruit balls or cubes to your greens! Mix it up with strawberries, a zingy red onion, or even my favorite plum jam vinaigrette.

Trust me, whipping together that vinaigrette using my homemade plum jam is as easy as pie (or should I say jam?).

And here's a pro tip: cut up your dragon fruit and store it in the fridge for later. It's like having little bursts of sunshine ready to go for any salad emergency!

Now, let’s talk salad architecture. Start with a creamy layer of ricotta on the plate, drizzle it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Then, build your salad skyscraper with spinach, dragon fruit, mango, and a crunchy sprinkle of toasted pistachios. Garnish with a side of prosciutto, and voilà! You've got a hearty, healthy salad that’s perfect for lunch or substantial enough for a dinner centerpiece.

What is Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a tropical fruit renowned for its striking appearance and subtly sweet taste. It has a vibrant pink or yellow skin with green scales, and the inside is dotted with tiny black seeds, like a kiwi. This fruit is not only pretty on the salad it’s also packed with nutrients, including vitamins C and B, fiber, and antioxidants.

Picking the Best Dragon Fruit at the Market

When choosing a dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, consider its appearance, texture, and blemishes:

• Appearance - Look for a plump fruit with smooth, evenly colored skin that's bright pink, red, or yellow. Avoid fruits with dull, faded colors, shriveled skin, or drying scales. If the fruit is changing from pale green to bright pink, it's probably underripe.
• Texture - The skin should be firm but not too hard, and it should have a little give when you gently press it. If it's mushy, the fruit may be overripe. The spiky tip should also be supple and pliable, not hard or woody.
• Blemishes - Check for any bruising, mold, or soft spots on the skin. A few blemishes on the exterior are okay, but lots of funky-colored marks on the flesh may indicate over ripeness.

How to Prepare and Cut Dragon Fruit

Now that you know how to shop for dragon fruit, you may be wondering just how do you prepare and cut it.

Choose a Ripe Dragon Fruit: Look for one with bright, evenly colored skin that gives slightly when pressed.

Cut the Fruit: Using a sharp knife, slice the dragon fruit in half lengthwise.

Scoop or Peel: You can either scoop out the flesh with a spoon or peel the skin off.

Cut into cubes or balls:   Cut the flesh into cubes or use a melon baller to create a fun shape of balls.

What you'll need for this Dragon Fruit and Mango Spinach Salad

This Dragon Fruit and Mango Spinach Salad with Jam Vinaigrette is a delightful and visually stunning dish that’s perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a light and refreshing meal. Enjoy experimenting with different variations and savor the unique flavors of dragon fruit in your culinary creations!

Salad Ingredients

• Dragon Fruit – Comes in four dazzling varieties that are sure to jazz up any dish. First up, we have the classic, pink-skinned beauty, known for its vibrant color that practically begs to be Instagrammed, and the red-fleshed dragon fruit, which looks straight out of a fairy tale with its deep, ruby interior. The third contender is the white-fleshed dragon fruit, a crisp and refreshing option that pairs perfectly with just about anything, and for the grand finale, let’s give it up for the yellow-skinned, white-fleshed variety, which is like a tropical sunshine explosion on your plate.  It’s dealer’s choice for this salad.
• Mango - Mango brings a burst of tropical sweetness to this salad, balancing the flavors with its juicy, golden goodness. Its vibrant color and luscious texture make every bite a delightful experience.  For tip on cutting read the section on how to cut a mango in my Flank Steak and Mango Farro Salad recipe.
• Ricotta - adds a creamy, velvety base to the salad, perfectly complementing the fresh, vibrant ingredients.
• Prosciutto (optional)- Consider adding as it brings a savory, salty contrast that elevates the salad to a whole new level.
• Toasted pistachios, pecans, or walnuts.
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Plum jam vinaigrette – I love using homemade small batch plum jam to make a sweet yet zippy vinaigrette for this salad.  Of course you can use any fruit jam you have on hand.  It’s so easy to whip up you may never go back to the store-bought stuff again.

See recipe card for quantities.

Jam Vinaigrette: The Perfect Dressing

A jam vinaigrette adds a sweet and tangy twist to your dragon fruit and mango spinach salad.  To make this vinaigrette, whisk together your favorite jam and a sweet white vinegar in a medium sized bowl until smooth and dreamy. Gradually add olive oil while whisking continuously, then finish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste—voilà, your jam vinaigrette is ready to dazzle!

How to make dragon fruit and mango spinach salad

Now that you have gathered and prepared your ingredients, let assemble the salad.

Start with a creamy layer of ricotta on the plate, drizzle it with a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.

Next, pile on the fresh spinach, followed by dazzling dragon fruit, juicy mango, and a crunchy sprinkle of toasted pistachios for that extra oomph. Toss everything with your delightful jam vinaigrette, and if you're feeling fancy, garnish with some prosciutto.

And there you have it—a hearty, healthy salad that's perfect for lunch or substantial enough to steal the show as a dinner centerpiece. Enjoy your creation and savor every bite!

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Variations

This salad is incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations to keep things exciting:

• Tropical Twist: Swap the mango for pineapple or papaya and add a sprinkle of coconut flakes.
• Berry Delight: Replace the mango with strawberries or blueberries and use a berry jam for the vinaigrette.
• Nutty Crunch: Use pecans, almonds or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) instead of pistachios for a different nutty flavor.
• Cheese Lovers: Add crumbled feta or goat cheese or grate some parmesan on top for an extra creamy texture.

How to use Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit isn't just for salads! Here are a few other ways to enjoy this exotic fruit:

• Smoothies: Blend dragon fruit with other fruits and a splash of coconut water for a refreshing smoothie.
• Salsa: Mix dragon fruit with diced avocado, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice for a unique salsa.
• Desserts: Use dragon fruit as a topping for yogurt, ice cream, or even in fruit tarts.

Related

Looking for other salad recipes like this? Try these:

Pairings

While this salad can be a meal on it's own serving it with a cucumber and peach gazpacho or a melon and sweet corn gazpacho will round out the meal. During the colder months try one of these soups to serve alongside the salad: