Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica)

Introduction:

Prickly pears are the chicken-egg-sized, green, yellow or red fruits of the Opuntia cactus. There are many small spines on the fruit. The flesh tastes sweet and sour and is reminiscent of a mixture of pear and melon. The flesh is edible together with the seeds.

Use/Preparation:

The prickly pear tastes good raw, e.g. in muesli, in fruit salad, in sweet or spicy dishes, with game or poultry dishes, as chutney, jam or liqueur.

Health:

Among other things, prickly pears contain the minerals potassium, magnesium and calcium as well as vitamins E, C and B vitamins. In addition, the juicy flesh is said to be effective against high blood sugar and blood fat levels.

Alternatives:

Melons, kiwis and pears are similar in taste and juiciness.

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Average nutritional values	per 100 g
Energy (kcal/kJ)	41/172
Fat	0,5 g
Healthy fatty acids	0,1 g
Carbohydrates	9,6 g
Sugar	7 g
Protein	0,7 g
Salt	0 g