Prickly pear cacti are highlights in the garden. Especially because they bear delicious fruit. However, harvesting them is not that easy. After all, they're prickly.
Anyone who can pick figs from their own prickly pear cactus belongs to a lucky minority in Germany. Because not everyone dares to plant a prickly pear in the garden. Most think that cacti only thrive in very hot areas. But that's not true. Prickly pear cacti also thrive in German gardens.
At the latest, when your prickly pear bears fruit, you will know that it is doing well. To ensure that everything runs smoothly when harvesting the delicious fruit in the truest sense of the word - i.e. thorn-free - you have to pay attention to a few things. Otherwise, harvesting can quickly become a painful affair.
When are prickly pears ripe?
Depending on the climatic conditions at the location of the prickly pear, you can harvest the fruits in late summer or autumn. Don't rely on the color of the shell. This does not provide a reliable indication of ripeness, because similar to mangoes, prickly pears can be green, yellow or red in color. Instead, use your thumb and forefinger to test whether the flesh is soft enough. When it yields to light pressure, it's time to harvest the prickly pears. However, the final proof that it is ready to eat is provided by the taste: the prickly pear must have a full, sweet and sour aroma. Therefore, first pick a single piece of fruit and taste it for yourself.
How do you pick the figs from the cactus?
Harvesting prickly pears is not an art, but requires caution. Finally, the shell of a prickly pear is riddled with fine spines that, once pricked, cling to the skin with their barbs. Fortunately, the spines are easy to rub or brush off. Hold the fruit in a thorn-free area with the fingers of one hand and rub the skin with newspaper or a small, soft brush. Most of the spikes will fall off. For safety, protect your hand with the newspaper or a glove when spinning the figRelease the pull motion from the cactus.
What is the best way to peel prickly pears?
To be on the safe side, put on gloves when peeling the prickly pears. Then, in the first step, remove the top and bottom of the fruit by making a cross-section with a sharp knife. Then score the skin once lengthways and, using a fork and spoon, roll out the flesh from the skin. Use the fork to hold the skin while you slide the spoon between the skin and the flesh.
How do you eat prickly pears?
Cactus figs cut into small cubes are a real treat on their own. If you want a change, you can also add the fruit to natural yoghurt, make sorbet, make jam out of it, or use it as an ingredient in a mixed salad.
» Tip: The seeds are edible and do not have to be removed. You can also use them to propagate the prickly pear.