When exotic produce shows up at the farmers market it's time for me to create as many dishes with those ingredients as possible. I do not always share my recipes but some are worth trying and deserve a wider audience.
Prickly pears are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, Vitamin C, B Vitamins, minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The fruits are high in flavonoids, polyphenols and the plant pigments like betalains and carotenoids. In Mexican folk medicine prickly pears were used to heal liver ailments. Research also suggests that the soluble fiber in prickly pears could help lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The antioxadant rich fruit may also help reduce inflammation in the body.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 prickly pears
- 1 habanero or ghost chili pepper, roughly chopped, seeds removed
- 1-2 shallots, roughly chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves
- freshly pressed juice of 2 limes
- zest of 1 organic lime
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar, add more if needed
- pinch freshly ground black pepper
- sea salt to balance the flavors
Method:
- Wash and pat dry the prickly pears. You may want to wear protective kitchen gloves while handling the fruit. Prickly pears are a really prickly affair. Even if the thorns are removed there is still a chance that a few glochids (tiny, almost invisible needles) get stuck into your fingers or palms.
- There are at least two ways to get the fruit flesh out. The easiest way is to cut each pear lengthwise in half and scoop the flesh out with a spoon. Using a sieve and a spoon or a manual fruit/tomato puree maker separate the fruit pulp and juice from the seeds. Aim for at least 1/4 - 1/3 cup.
- In a blender whizz the prickly pear pulp and juice with all the other ingredients. Blend into a smooth dressing. Adjust the taste as needed. Serve with a salad of your choice and enjoy it in good company.
This dressing is great for any salad but I love it with mixed greens or with shredded cabbage, broccoli and root vegetables. Toss some edible flowers to the bowl and enjoy a colorful end of summer spectacle.
Tip: To remove any glochids that pierced your skin you may have to use a magnifying glass and tweezers. A piece of a strong adhesive tape can also be used to extract the pesky needles.
In radiant health, passionately raw - Dominique
Dominique Allmon©2025
*Information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease.