{"id":624,"date":"2025-09-10T11:54:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T11:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lindsay.kobkob.org\/?p=624"},"modified":"2025-09-10T11:54:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T11:54:25","slug":"45051","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lindsay.kobkob.org\/?p=624","title":{"rendered":"A Prickly Pear Primer"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Prickly Pear Primer<\/h3>\n
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It’s prickly pear season with so-called\u00a0fichi d’India<\/em> showing up in markets across Sicily. With a sweet taste reminiscent of watermelon, these spiky fruits can be found in the wild and on farms in the Mount Etna foothills. But what exactly is a prickly pear, and how do you eat them? Read on for a primer on this\u00a0dangerously\u00a0delicious fruit.<\/p>\n

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What Are Prickly Pears?<\/h2>\n

Native to Central Mexico<\/a>, where it is called nopales, the prickly pear plant (Opuntia ficus-India<\/a><\/em>) was first brought to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish explorers. Today, prickly pears grow on every continent except for Antarctica. In the United States, you can find Optunia cacti growing in the West and Southwest<\/a>. You’ll recognize them for their slender, beavertail-shaped pads, known as shovels, and their brilliant\u00a0green, yellow, orange, red, and purple fruits (also called tuna). Both are edible.<\/p>\n

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In Sicily’s markets,\u00a0the preferred prickly pears are\u00a0labeled as bastardoni<\/a><\/em>. These fruits result from the plant’s second flowering and are bigger and sweeter following an initial pruning in the spring.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Sicilian Prickly Pear Recipes<\/h2>\n

Whether you’re a fan of sweet or savory, you’ll find a broad spectrum of prickly pear recipes bursting with Sicilian flavor. Try your hand at a traditional mostarda\u00a0<\/em>fichi d’India<\/em><\/a>\u00a0or gourmet Sicilian Etna prickly pear risotto<\/a>\u00a0(pictured below). Thirsty? Sip a glass of\u00a0prickly pear juice<\/a>. In the mood for a light, refreshing dessert? Prepare a palate-cleansing prickly pear granita<\/a>. Sicily is also known for its prickly pear liqueur<\/a>, which you can purchase at specialty stores or make your own<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Terra Orti – I Love Fruit & Veg from Europe<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Pick Your Own Prickly Pears<\/h2>\n

If you’re lucky enough to have access to prickly pear cacti, you may be wondering how to harvest them. Whatever you do, don’t\u00a0use your bare hands! Prickly pear fruit is covered in tiny spines called glochids<\/a>, which can get in your skin. Ouch!\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Experts recommend<\/a> wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and thick gloves. There are a variety of innovative methods, which I showcase below. Tools of the trade include small blow torches, tongs, and the traditional coppo<\/em>, which you can purchase\u00a0online<\/a>\u00a0or make yourself<\/a> by cutting in half a 500-milliliter bottle and affixing it to a stick.\u00a0<\/p>\n