How to Enjoy a Prickly Pear

Intro: How to Enjoy a Prickly Pear

It's tuna season again!

No, not the fish! The cactus! Tuna is the Spanish word for prickly pear, or cactus fruit. They come in two colors, red and green, are full of seeds, and taste something like a melon.

They are also covered in spines. But, with the technique you are about to learn, that won't be a problem at all.

STEP 1: What You Need

All you need is two forks and a sharp knife.

Oh, and a fresh, delicious prickly pear.

STEP 2: Cut Off the Ends

Stick a fork in the side of the fruit to hold it steady and cut off each end.

Leave the fork in the fruit.

STEP 3: Cut a Slit in the Skin

Make a cut from down the side of the fruit, end to end.

The cut needs to be through the skin, about a quarter of an inch deep. Too deep is better than too shallow, though.

STEP 4: Peel the Fruit

Grab the other fork, stick it in the slit, and peel the skin back.

At this point to can continue to peel the fruit with your forks, or hold the skin with a fork while you pull the fruit out with your fingers.

Either way, be careful not to stick yourself throwing the skin away.

STEP 5: Enjoy!

You can cut the fruit into slices, or bite into it as is, just be careful of all the hard seeds.

Comments

[DavidL639]

I just tried one. It was delicious, and VERY much like watermelon. However, each bite contains more seed than flesh, and I found it too much hassle. I suppose there is a reason why they are used more often for juice, which I will try next. I was just happy to try it, though, seeing as you don't see them here in Michigan often. Lol

[HorseBackBob]

These cacti are more nutritious and taste better than I'd ever have
thought. Made a video recently on how to pick and eat them off the
plant. Hope this helps. Enjoy!

[jenjen5]

There called tunas

[randomness-ish]

Chuck Norris has no need of your process

[gwylan]

If you have a lot of them, they dry very nicely. The ones from the local prickly pear (red) taste a bit like red licorice when dried.

[pratomorone]

the red ones from Sicily are the best!

[Cowboy_fromHell]

Looks good. I always wanted to try one

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Oooh! That looks good! Now that I know how to peel it, I'm going to have to see if I can find one to try :D