Prickly
Pears
Opuntia spp.
Prickly
Pears are also known as Cactus Figs or Feijoas. It's popularity
has increased over the years, but in many areas of the world still
remains an unknown fruit crop.
They
are indigenous to the semi-arid parts of Central America and the
southern USA. They are grown between 800 and 1800 meters altitude.
And are available year round.
The
matured fig has a tough peel (pure green, green with brown, brown
or purple) and often described as spineless. But fine, hairy spines
may remain even after being mechanically dethroned, so handling
should be done carefully. The interior has a white inner rind
containing a seed mass bound with an orange colored jelly-like
flesh. The edible seeds are numerous and because of their size
undetectable when swallowed. Prickly Pears have a sweet flavor
with a slight hint of strawberries and honeydew melons.
To
peel a Prickly Pear cut off the tips on either end of the fruit.
Then slice the fruit, at skin depth, across the longest side and
peel off the skin. They're excellent eaten raw as a snack, at
room temperature or chilled, all by itself or with lemon juice.
They can also be used as a filler/topping for desserts. The juice
can be drunk on its own or mixed with other juices to make smoothies,
shakes and other refreshing beverages. They can also be cooked
into jams and preserves or cooked down into syrup as a base for
jelly and candy.
