Sweet And Delicious Prickly Pears Are In Season!
Prickly Pears or Cactus Fruit are plentiful around Gozo and Malta throughout the summer. The island’s year-round warm climate offers a perfect habitat for this evergreen; first introduced to this part of the world by Spanish Explorers. You will find many varieties of Cacti Fruit in striking colours which brighten up the barren summer landscape. Learn more about the healing properties of these beautiful fruits, some top tips on picking and preparing them and grab a zingy recipe below.
why eat Prickly pears?
- Full of Fibre: these oval fruits are loaded with dietary fibre to help regulate digestion. They are also contain soothing nutrients to calm and heal the digestive tract. Just be mindful of the seeds if you have active irritation in the gut.
- Source of Betalain: prickly pears are one of few foods which naturally contain the pigment Betalain which gives thier pulp it’s rich colouring. As the name implies beetroot are also high in this pigment. Betalains are an antioxidant and protect the body against chronic inflammation.
- Rich in Vitamin C: like many other fruits prickly pears offer excellent levels of vitamin C to support the body’s immunity in fighting infections. Vitamin C is also integral for collagen formation to support healthy skin and joints.
Recipe: Prickly Pear Juice
Samantha's Top Tips: Prickly pears are a bit tricky to handle due to their pricks. Therefore, its best to cut them off the cactus using an easy-reacher or thick gloves. In order to peel the prickly pears, hold horizontally on a flat surface using a fork. Cut both ends and discard. Cut a slit horizontally and use a table spoon to enter through the slit and curve around the fruit. Don’t let the pricks deceive you! This delicious fruit is a unique tasting sweet fruit. I prefer to have them peeled all at once and preserved in the fridge. They taste so much better when they’re ice cold especially in these hot summer days!
How Long You Will Need
- Cooking Time: 5-10 Minutes
- Cooling Time: 2 Hours
- Preparation Time: 5-10 Minutes
- Servings: 3 Glasses
What You Will Need
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- 6-7 prickly pears (peeled)
- Fresh orange juice from 1 orange
- 1 wedge of lime
- Local honey to taste
How To Make
- Place prickly pears in a small pan and pour enough water to cover. Place on hob on medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Allow to simmer for 2 minutes and remove from heat. Mash prickly pears in water with a potato masher.
- Drain juice through a sieve, pressing with a spatula or spoon to ensure that all juice is collected. Discard seed residue.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours to cool. Add fresh orange juice and squeeze a wedge of lime.
- Add honey to your liking of sweetness and stir.
- Pour in your fanciest tall cups, add ice, and pop a paper or metal straw in.
- Garnish with a slice of orange.
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