My previous home had a large Prickly Pear Cactus in the yard. I remember the perilous journey of picking the fruit and trying to cook it in some manner. I'm certain I was doing it all wrong, and there was an easier way.
Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Interesting. I've never seen a cactus with fruit. What animals eat that? It must be hard to get at the fruit.
Enjoy your day!
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Hi Kat Palmiotti , primarily birds can reach it and eat it. If the fruit are low enough some of the other ceratures like rabbits and squirrels might try it, but I have to admit I have never seen an animal eat the prickly pears. 😀
I have had prickly pear and it tastes good but I have never picked one off directly and eaten it, have you?
Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Brian England , I never carry the gloves with which to pick them, or the fruit-pickers ... I just look at them from a distance. 😀
Hello Steffy - I have "known" about prickly pears but don't recall ever eating it and definitely don't remember ever choosing one from the garden. As clumsy as I can be at times, I would likely remember.
Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Hi Michael Jacobs , I agree, it can be a memorable event . 😀 I can see the prickly pear growing equally well in front yards and wild in open spaces in AZ.
Good morning Steffy Hristova showing how that is prepared could be a very interesting entry into this months challenge
Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Hi Rocky Dickerson , that would be a good project for me, too. I don't usually touch them, but I will check what my friend Peggy Sorensens has on her web-site - she is the expert on edible desert plants. https://desertkitchen.net/gallery😀
Hi Myrl Jeffcoat , those plants in the desert have such a defense system, always amaze me. I just watch them. 😀
Hi Steffy Hristova - Great post! I am sure not many know about this. I first remember the Prickly Pear in CA but here in AZ, you can get products and drinks everywhere.
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Hi Sheri Sperry - MCNE® , it seems the prickly pear cactus grows well in Sedona area, too. When we drive from Phoenix towards Sedona we see how saguaros start disappearing after Black Canyon, and definitely none are visible after Camp Verde, but we can see the flat leaves of the prickly pear all the way.
Thank you very much for sharing this interesting information. I would love to sample a prickly pear cactus dish.
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Hi Roy Kelley , I think dishes are only locally served, Juices and ja,s may be easier ship. Thanks for stopping by.
Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
For some reason I always suspected that they were eddible... now we wait for your next post to enter Rocky Dickerson contest and we will all learn Endre
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
Hi Endre Barath, Jr. , this year is especially plentiful for the cactus - I have never seen so much fruit on them. I will have to enter that contest, I believe. And make a video of one of my friends, cooking from desert plants.
Hi Steffy Hristova I have never had a Prickly Pear either. I have seen them in the local produce department here though. My daughter and son inlaw live in Phoenix and I'm pretty sure they took me to dinner somewhere in Cave Creek on one of my trips to see them. I also got to see the Saguaro cactus bloom when I was there last May.
Steffy Hristova
Tempe, AZ
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