Consuming Prickly Pear: Preparing It Raw, Cooked, or Juiced
Rolling Out Prickly Pleasures: A Guide to Grubbing on Prickly Pears
This article dives into the delightful world of prickly pears, a tantalizing desert fruit that's packed with surprise and flavor. Grown on shrub-size cactus plants, prickly pears are known by various names such as cactus pear, tuna in Spanish, and figue de Barbary in French. Let's explore this underappreciated gem!
- Melissa Jones, senior category manager at Misfits Market
- Marc Quiñones, director of culinary operations and executive chef at Ex Novo Brewing Company in Albuquerque, NM
Savoring Sweet Hatch Peppers: The Cult-Worthy Pepper for Adventurous Palates## Prickly Pear: A Delicious Desert Delight
The prickly pear, or Opuntia ficus-indica, is actually a berry that grows on the Opuntia cactus, also called the nopal cactus. These enticing gems range in color from red to pale yellow, or green, with deep red flesh. Prickly pears are primarily found in desert regions, such as Mexico, the Southwest, and parts of the Mediterranean.
A Taste of Adventure: Depending on ripeness, prickly pear offers a delightful, juicy pulp with a taste that can be slightly sweet or super-sweet, with a hint of tanginess, reminiscent of watermelon or kiwi. Edible, yet small, hard seeds leave a satisfying, crunchy contrast.
Appetizing Partners
"Prickly pear complements a variety of flavors," Quiñones shares, "particularly regional ingredients like pungent chile peppers."
Southwestern Rumble: Prickly pear's sweet, slightly tart flavor is a perfect match for the diverse flavors found in New Mexican cuisine, such as those found in the dishes at Ex Novo Brewing Company.
Fruit Fusion: According to culinary expert Melissa Jones, prickly pear pairs harmoniously with an array of fruits, including apricot, banana, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, coconut, cranberry, ginger, and green apple, as well as tropical fruits, like pink guava, passion fruit, pineapple, and mango.
Nutrients at Your Service
This delectable delight boasts a nutritional powerhouse within its small size, offering fiber, vitamin C, and various minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Additionally, prickly pear is rich in antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation, destined to become a staple in modern and traditional medicine.
Making the Most of Prickly Pear
Before indulging in the fruit's delectable pulp, it's crucial to remove the skin, ensuring you've dealt with the spines that cover the fruit's exterior. Here's how:
- Chill the fruit in the fridge for a cool, refreshing experience.
- Pierce it with a fork to secure it.
- Slice off the ends using a sharp knife.
- Slit the skin from top to bottom, then push it off using another fork.
Exploring the Tasty Tang of Prickly Pear
Prickly pear presents a range of options to indulge your taste buds - raw or cooked, and in sweet and savory concoctions. Here are some ways to experience its unique flavors:
Margaritas: "Prickly pear purée is a delightful foundation for margaritas, offering a subtle sweetness and fruity notes," shares Quiñones. Jones suggests using tequila blanco, as its neutral color lets the prickly pear's vivid hue take center stage.
Cocktails: Jones enjoys prickly pear in other libations, such as the Hearts and Minds, with rhum agricole, or Mezcali Me Banana, featuring prickly pear purée, mezcal, agave nectar, lime juice, and grapefruit juice.
Juice: Quiñones adds a splash of lime juice to prickly pear juice for an invigorating beverage, garnished with fresh mint.
Sauces: Prickly pear's sweet and smoky flavor works remarkably well with New Mexico's iconic red chile, creating a harmonious blend suitable for sauces and marinades.
Meats: In New Mexico, prickly pear is often combined with beef short ribs, producing a rich, deep flavor from the interplay of flavors.
Cheeses: Prickly pear jam pairs wonderfully with soft cheeses like ricotta or brie, or hard cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar.
Salads: Embark on a culinary adventure by adding prickly pear to your salad, such as mixed greens, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Salsas: Combine diced prickly pear with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice for a sweet and spicy salsa, starting with a base like Salsa Fresca.
Desserts: "Prickly pear is a marvelous addition to tarts and cakes," according to Jones, who recommends using it in recipes like Martha's Fruit Tart or Blueberry-Lemon Bundt Cake.
Cheesecake: Mix prickly pear with cream cheese and sugar to create an out-of-this-world cheesecake filling, elevating New York Cheesecake to a new level.
Chocolate Delights: Prickly pear and neutral white chocolate balance each other beautifully, making a decadent pair for White Chocolate Fudge.
Enchanting Entertaining, Prickly Pear Style
Incorporating prickly pear into your culinary repertoire turns every meal into an adventure, adding a tantalizing twist to your favorite dishes. Prepare to enchant your guests with this versatile, toothsome fruit!
References:[1] https://www.thespruceeats.com/recipe-nopalito-pineapple-salsa-907544[2] https://www.makeit-loveit.com/pink-prickly-pear-lemonade/[3] https://www.thespruceeats.com/prickly-pear-granita-recipe-4128090[4] https://www.thespruceeats.com/prickly-pear-jam-recipe-1433823[5] https://www.thespruceeats.com/green-cactus-juice-recipe-3400774
- Martha Stewart's Fruit Tart or Blueberry-Lemon Bundt Cake could be further enhanced with the addition of prickly pear ingredients.
- The sweet and smoky flavor of prickly pear makes it an excellent ingredient for sauces and marinades, such as for New Mexico's iconic red chile.
- Prickly pear's unique characteristics make it a versatile ingredient, suitable for both savory and sweet concoctions, like Prickly Pear Cheesecake or White Chocolate Fudge.
- The delectable prickly pear is not only delicious but also rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and various minerals.
- Incorporating prickly pear into your food cooking can lead to an exciting and enchanting dining experience, perfect for pleasing adventurous palates.
