Red Dragonfruit from Taytay Farm in The Philippines

Red Dragonfruit from a farm in Taytay, Rizal, The Philippines.

The red dragonfruit has found its way to the Philippines. The dragonfruit, a strange succulent fruit sought after for its juicy melon-like pulp, has slowly crept into the Philippine marketplaces and is now getting to be a more familiar sight in fruit stands. The relatively low demand has caused it to be pricey, but it has a loyal base of fans. When chilled and cut into cubes, it serves as a delicious and crunch (because of the black seeds) though not-so-sweet snack.

The type of dragonfruit that were initially sold in the Philippines were of the white-fleshed variety, the pulp inside is white. The white version isn’t sweet but it’s perfect for salads and as a cooling snack. If you know how to make ice cream, it’s a perfect exotic ingredient. It’s hard to tell if a dragonfruit has white or red pulp, unless you’re familiar with all the different varieties, but the pinkish variety has both a white and red version.

The red dragonfruit has a bright-red pulp that’s also filled with black seeds, just like the white. But unlike the white variety, the red one is slightly sweeter and of course full of antioxidants. Chilled, you can eat directly from the skin. With just a slit of a knife you can peel it like a banana and you’re left with the inside flesh. The red dragonfruit is a strange-looking fruit, but it’s a fun fruit to eat. It’s also healthful. 

The red dragonfruit pictured here came from a farm in Taytay, Rizal.

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Popular Vegetable Stall in Taytay Market

There’s this vegetable star in a corner of the Taytay public market in Rizal that’s a favorite of vegetable buyers. It’s tucked in a lonely and less crowded corner of the market where few buyers go, but for those in the know, the prices of vegetables here are actually lower than what’s set by the other stalls. It’s near the fish stalls (left), so it’s not that hard to find.

If you happen to be buying your food at the Taytay palengke, then why not drop by this stall and see what cheap veggies you can buy for your lunch or dinner meal. The walk to the stall may be muddy, but it may be worth it, if you want lower prices. Note that the stall may move in time, so if it is not there, you may look around and simply compare prices before buying. It may take more time, but that’s just the way to go to get the best products that money can buy in a market in the Philippines.

  

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Fish Stalls in Wet Market of Taytay Rizal

Wet markets (palengke) in the Philippines have a strange appeal. You don't really want to be there yet somehow, the experience enriches and energizes you. Even if you have no business there, you get the feeling that you've been to a carnival - like a kid who goes out on a holiday.

Crowded, hot, wet, and dirty - you'd get dark mud all over your feet if you don't walk carefully, you can't help but to soak in everything in a wet market, especially in the fish section, where everything's abuzz with activity. Tourists rarely ever visit the wet markets of the Philippines but it can be quite an experience and you get to see the things that people buy to put on the dinner table. You'll see lots of interesting things - fresh fish can literally leap out of their basins looking for an escape, but of course the store owner is there to keep them secure.

If you are a tourist and wish to experience the wet markets of the Philippines like the one shown here in Taytay, Rizal, then be prepared to wear light clothing, sandals, and avoid carrying bags that snatchers, slashers, and snatchers will find attractive. Do ask a local whom you know and trust to accompany you. When in the market, it's best to just keep walking unless you intend to buy something. Otherwise, you will be bumped by so many people you'll end up like a soaked rag.You'll end up sweaty, muddy, and smelly, but you get to experience something only in the Philippines.

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