This pink passion fruit smoothie is vibrant, slightly tart, subtly sweet, energizing, and summery.
As a self-diagnosed smoothie addict, I'm uncomfortable with the fact that it's been well over a month since my last smoothie post. To remedy the dry spell, today's smoothie includes a special, slightly exotic twist: passion fruit.
During the school year, I typically shop at both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods on my way home from work every Friday. However, since I'm not going to and from work this summer, I've been shopping at our local grocery store. I underestimated it because it's on the smaller side but was pleasantly surprised to find that it's packed with all sorts of exotic fresh and frozen fruits. I was even able to nab a tricky-to-find mamey sapote there the other week in addition to a handful of prickly pears, guava, and dragon fruit. The only problem is that I ALWAYS come home with about 15 fruits and vegetables that weren't on my list, but it doesn't feel right to complain about that.
While I was grocery shopping a few weeks back, I noticed that they carried packs of 100% passion fruit pulp. I love passion fruit and have always wanted to make a smoothie with it, but couldn't justify buying 5+ pricey passion fruits for one smoothie. But the pulp? It's less work and far, far more affordable (under $3 for 14 ounces of it). I just hope all of you can get your hands on some of it, because it's lovely.
And this smoothie? Sheesh.
It's vibrant, slightly tart, subtly sweet, energizing, summery, pink(ish) perfection.
To make it, you'll combine about 1 cup of thawed frozen or fresh passion fruit pulp with 1 frozen banana, hulled strawberries, a hearty splash of unsweetened plant milk, a date or two (to balance the tart passion fruit), and a tablespoon of diced beets (completely optional for color). Blend it on high until completely smooth, pour it into a glass, garnish, and drink it up.
This has been my most frequented smoothie over the last two weeks, and I don't see my obsession coming to an end anytime soon. It's packed with bright flavor and incredibly refreshing in this hot July heat.
Pink Passion Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 ripe and speckled banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
- 1 cup thawed frozen or fresh passion fruit pulp
- 1 heaping cup fresh strawberries, hulled
- ⅔ cup unsweetened plant milk
- 2 medjool dates or to taste, pitted
- 1 tablespoon finely-diced beets (optional for color)
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients and blend for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth.
What a gorgeous smoothie! Love the color, natural colors from fruit are just the best :)
I've avoided most drinks that are red during my adulthood after learning what makes them so appealing however this one makes the cut! Brings me back to my kiddy cocktail days :)
I love passion fruit too but not the prices! I try to buy them at the farmers market where they are a little cheaper than at Whole Foods. But unfortunately, I've never seen passion fruit pulp at any of my stores! I might have to do some research into that! If not though I will definitely be splurging on some passion fruits to make this!
You have passion fruit at your farmers market?! That is amazing. The fruit available at the markets in Chicago is pretty much limited to berries and a few melons and although I love those options, I think I'd do a little dance if I saw passion fruit. The store I find the pulp at caters to a variety of cuisines, and I usually find it in a section dedicated to staples in South American cooking. If you have any specialty markets in your area, I would try those first. Also, somewhat coincidentally, I went shopping yesterday and planned to pick more up and they were completely out of it, haha. I hope it returns soon!