Prickley Pear Fruit

by Donna Greene

Title

Prickley Pear Fruit

Artist

Donna Greene

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

The cactus pad has four juicy red fruits, which can be turned into jelly, candy, jam, salsa, and animals love to eat it.

Like all true cactus species, prickly pears are native only to the Western hemisphere; however, they have been introduced to other parts of the globe. Prickly pear species are found in abundance in Mexico, especially in the central and western regions.

The fruit of prickly pears, commonly called cactus fruit, cactus fig, Indian fig or tuna in Spanish, is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. If the outer layer is not properly removed, glochids can be ingested, causing discomfort of the throat, lips, and tongue, as the small spines are easily lodged in the skin. Native Americans, like the Tequesta, would roll the fruit around in a suitable medium (e.g. grit) to "sand" off the glochids. Alternatively, rotating the fruit in the flame of a campfire or torch has been used to remove the glochids. Today, parthenocarpic (seedless) cultivars are also available. Cactus figs are often used to make candies, jelly, or drinks such as vodka or lemonade.

Uploaded

August 18th, 2012

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