Prickly pears, also known as cactus fruit, are delicious and nutritious but can be a challenge to handle and peel due to their tiny, hair-like thorns called glochids. These can easily embed in your skin, causing irritation. Here’s a safe and effective way to peel a prickly pear without getting pricked.
Tools You’ll Need:
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Tongs
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A sharp knife
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A cutting board
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A large bowl or plate
Steps to Peel a Prickly Pear:
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Wash the Fruit:
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Start by washing the prickly pears while still in their skin to remove any loose thorns. Use tongs to hold the fruit under running water to avoid touching the thorns.
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Use Tongs to Handle:
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Always use tongs to handle the prickly pears during the peeling process. This will keep your hands at a safe distance from the sharp glochids.
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Cut Off the Ends:
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Place the prickly pear on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife and holding the fruit with the tongs, slice off both ends of the prickly pear. This includes the top, where the flower was, and the bottom.
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Make a Vertical Slice:
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Carefully make a long, vertical slice through the skin of the prickly pear. Ensure not to cut too deeply; you only want to slice through the skin.
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Peel Away the Skin:
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Use the tongs to grip the edge of the skin where you made the vertical slice. Gently pull back the skin, which should peel away in a large piece if ripe. Continue until all the skin is removed.
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Slice or Cube the Fruit:
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Once peeled, you can slice or cube the fruit as desired. Transfer the prepared fruit to a large bowl or plate.
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Tips for Serving:
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Chill Before Serving: Prickly pears are especially refreshing when served chilled. Consider refrigerating the peeled fruit for an hour before serving.
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Serving Suggestions: Enjoy them on their own, toss them into a fruit salad, or blend them into smoothies.
Additional Caution:
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Dispose of the Peels Carefully: Ensure to dispose of the peels in a way that they won’t cause harm to anyone unaware of the thorns.
Peeling a prickly pear safely requires a bit of care, but with the right tools and technique, you can enjoy this exotic fruit without any discomfort from its thorns.
