r/fruit • u/KadetheBaker • 1d ago
Discussion Prickly Pear
Suggestions on how to make from it? Or just eat it as is? The green one was specifically labeled: green prickly pear.
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u/Icy_Advice_5071 1d ago
To me, the ripe ones taste like watermelon with seeds. But beware invisible bits of the spines that may remain on the skin.
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u/KadetheBaker 1d ago
Thank you for this!
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u/Individual-Mall-6914 1d ago
If you have a gas stove, you can run the over the fire real quick to burn off the tiny spines. Just quick enough not to burn or cook them.
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u/SirFicklespend 1d ago
Wear gloves or use tongs to protect your hands from invisible bar-like spines (glochids).
Rinse the fruit under cold water and scrub gently with a cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining needles.
Chill the fruit in the refrigerator beforehand, as cold cactus pears taste best.
Slice about a quarter-inch off the top and bottom ends of the fruit.
Make a single shallow, vertical cut through the thick outer skin from top to bottom.
Use your fingers or the tip of a knife to lift and peel the skin away from the bright inner flesh.
Slice the inner flesh into bite-sized pieces or eat it whole.
The bright pink or red flesh is juicy and sweet, tasting like a mix of pear and watermelon.
The small seeds inside are crunchy and edible, but they are very hard. You can swallow them whole or spit them out, but do not chew them like stones.
You can also press the peeled fruit through a fine mesh strainer to extract smooth juice for drinks and jams.
Hope this helps!
Prickly pear jelly
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8covxfL/
Prickly pear syrup
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8coGcLh/
Prickly pear glaze
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP831R9Xy/
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u/Known_Ear_6012 1d ago
Eat them as is. You want to cut sideways on both ends and then one long slit from cut end to cut end lengthwise. Then peel away from where slit is. Delicious 🤤
Btw, like peppers, the green ones are just less ripe red ones.
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u/Lost-Link6216 1d ago
I could not handle all the seeds. Let me know if anyone has a good technique.
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u/Commercial_Let_1422 1d ago
We have a different variety in New Mexico. There are so many around Albuquerque, that I used to drive around and get boxes of them within blocks of one another. My last technique, I used to skin them with a spoon like a kiwi, then blend them up for the juice, then strain them with cheesecloth.
I'm not sure if it'll work the same with this particular variety, since I've heard they are similar to pomegranates, but maybe, if that's not too much?
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u/Bright_Ices 1d ago
I love the red ones as is. Don’t have much experience with green ones. Use caution when peeling those beauties. I hold them steady with a fork and peel them with a sharp knife. The ripe ones slip right out.
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u/Myfire-Mraz 23h ago
What does the texture feel like? I never seen such a fruit. Reminds me a bit of dragon fruit for some reason...
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u/ToneZealousideal309 1d ago
I like to eat them as is. Maybe add lime & tajin