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These brightly colored pears are red - purple in color, small
with very very powerful health benefits. There are around 42
calories in one prickly pear. The benefits and nutritional value
of Prickly Pears is high as the fruit provides a high content of
magnesium, fiber and vitamin C. |
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The amount of fibre in just one cacti fruit can help the
digestive system to function better, as it can encourage bowel
movement, which can result in careful weight loss as part of a
healthy diet. |
Prickly Pears
Although The flesh and juice of
Prickly Pears are low in calories, and an exceptional,
nutritional and delicious tasting fruit. The amount of calories
in Prickly Pears depends on the method the fruit is served, for
example if the fruit is served in syrup, obviously it will
contain more calories.
This fruit is extremely low in
fat, with only a trace. The following calorie guide can be used
to calculate the amount of prickly pear calories:
Calories in Prickly Pears per unit:
Prickly pear calories- 48 calories per pear |
Prickly Pears
One type of
prickly pear cactus plant is known by the name Opuntia. This
cacti produces a red rounded fruits called the prickly pears.
There are spikes on this cactus which detach very easily,
therefore, it is of paramount importance that great care is
taken when picking prickly Prickly Pears from the cactus! Thick
leather gloves are a must to completely protect the hands! It's
safer to obtain cactus fruit from a shop or market where the
spikes have been removed.
Picking Prickly Pears from Cacti
Prickly Pears are
grown in many areas of the worlds including much of America.
It's widely known by other names including the cactus fruit,
cactus fig, or tuna in Spanish (this type of pear is grown in
many Spanish speaking countries). The cacti spikes (glochids)
must be removed before the Prickly Pears can be peeled and
eaten.
There are lots of these little barbs, so it's
very important to remove them all. This can be simply done just
by rolling the fruit on the ground or in sand. This cacti fruit
provides excellent tasting juice which is a little similar to
water melon, quite difficult to define as the flavor is very
distinctive - it tastes wonderful nonetheless and is often used
in recipes such as jellies, candies and alcohol such as vodka.
The juice makes a wonderful addition to salads also as a
dressing. The little red prickly pears grows on the nopales
cactus.
Peeling Prickly
Pears
Once you have followed the instructions above
to completely remove the Prickly Pears spikes, you are ready to
peel away the skin. Slice the prickly pear at both ends,
discarding the ends. Cut the prickly pears on one side only,
lengthways - be careful not to cut into the flesh too deeply as
this is only to remove its skin. Pull carefully on one side of
the slice by slipping your finger underneath the skin.
Completely peel away the cactus pears skin.
Cutting Prickly Pears
Once you have completely peeled the cactus fruit, you will be
left with the edible part of the prickly pear. The flesh
contains lots of seeds which are edible if you want to eat them.
Prickly pears can be eaten as they are now, simply cut them up
and serve. Otherwise, you may prefer to juice the fruit, in
which case, follow the next set of instructions.
Juicing Prickly Pears
Once you have peeled the cacti pear, you can extract the
delicious juice. This can be done by simply putting the prickly
pears into a food processor or blender until its totally
liquefied. Sieve the juice afterwards to ensure all pips, seeds
and pulp are removed. Use a fine sieve and push the liquid
through. It will take approximately 4 prickly pears to make a
glass of juice. Prickly pear juice is delicious mixed with
lemonade! |
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