Not that many people know that cactus is actually edible, with many species producing edible fruits and a few species also producing edible stems.
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The most commonly eaten cactus is the Prickly Pear and some people even grow the plant in their home garden, not always to eat but because it can be used medicinally.
Prickly pear cactus as food plus what you get as nutritional value
If you shop in Mexican stores, then you may have noticed they sell those chubby pink to red fruits called cactus pads. The cactus is a traditional food of the Mexican cuisine and has been used by the indigenous people in the warmer regions of North America as key ingredient since centuries.
Prickly pear cactus is edible in its entirety, this including the flat green stems that are consumed as vegetable, the reddish fruit and the flowers.
The fruit varies in size and color and can be as small as a small plum or larger like a kiwi fruit. Color varies from yellowy-green to ruby red.
- On nutrition
The fruit is suitable to eat raw and can be stewed, canned or preserved.
Not only can you enjoy it as delicious food but also, you get a lot of nutritional value per only 100 grams edible portion.
Prickly pear contains vitamins and minerals of the utmost importance, including:
- Vitamin C
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
The cactus is cholesterol-free and contains dietary fiber, so is good to include in a weight-loss diet as it can help with controlling the weight and preventing constipation.
- As far as the medicinal qualities go, there are several conditions and treatments related to the prickly pear cactus.
Since the food is relatively new to the U.S. and Europe, there isn’t yet sufficient evidence to confirm effectiveness in preventing and treating disorders 100%, however, the fruit is commonly used for diabetes.
People who have used the Prickly Pear as medicine confirm it is effective in controlling blood sugar and relieving constipation.
Other people say it’s helped them with sore muscles and lower back pain. Even people who experience skin issues such as chronic eczema confirm the benefits of consuming Prickly Pear.
Other cosmetic uses are for hair, skin care (soaps, skin oils, skin cream, and facemasks). In fragrances, it is used to create a subtle fruity scent, not too sweet.
When used for medicinal purposes, the cactus is most commonly taken as juice, nectar or capsules.
You will be surprised as to how delicious the prickly pear fruit is, but make sure that you pick only the deep reddish fruits. These are fully ripened and will provide the strongest flavor.
Prickly pear cactus is now in season and you should find the food in your local grocery store if they happen to have a Mexican market.
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Store-bought prick pear fruits are usually found spine free, so no need for gloves to handle them.