[CACTUS] How to prepare the fruit?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/08/2010 19:51

My cactus plants bear more fruit than ever this year. The problem is: what to do with the fruit so I can eat them?

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
10/08/2010 20:14

Put them under running water and scrub them with a long handled brush until all the spines are off then peel them wearing gloves.

airy____fairy


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 813

Message Posted:
10/08/2010 20:51

But you must be really careful when you pick them as they have nasty hairs on them that will really hurt if you get it stuck in you.

My hubby picks them using a peice of foil to protect his hands or if you are going to pick a lot ı was told to use an empty food tin - clean - and knock the fruit off the cactus with it so that the fruit drops into the can .

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
10/08/2010 20:59

And when you DO (almost inevitably) get the bloody hairs stuck in you, rub the area with warm olive oil - it helps bring them back out

I suppose you could always try something 'high-tech' like zinc oxide, but olive oil always works for me...

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
10/08/2010 23:14

top and tail them then slice off the peel like you would a kiwi fruit ie running round the edge with a sharp knife

hal9000


Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 154

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 10:13

Now Andrew - didn't your Mummy tell you that you shouldn't run with a sharp knife?

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 13:04

Best way of removing hairs is to wax them, as women do to thier legs and other parts of thier body

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 13:34

First of all soak them in a bucket full of water. Stab one with the fork while cutting off the two ends with a knife. Then slit along the lenght about 5 mm and use the knife to roll the skin off. Do not use your hands unless you have babutsa gloves with gloves. Alternatively when visiting Lefkosa in front of Saray hotel, there is a babutsaci there, buy some off him and ask him to clean them in front of you so you can learn.



What ever you do, do not eat more than 10, you will regret it.



http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cut_and_prepare_prickly_pears/



This website shows it but used glove o hold the prickly pear.

RachB



Joined: 07/05/2010
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 14:22

What does the fruit taste like?

BoTanica


Joined: 22/12/2009
Posts: 714

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 14:39

Mess 9



I have a huge "tree" like cactus in my garden and its always given huge amounts of fruit, but I find the taste to be quite bland and disapointing!! İt tastes like sweet, seedy mush. İts better (in my opinion) served with other fruit and a sprinkle of lemon juice to cut through the sweetness.



The "paddles" or leaves are much tastier and remind me of green beans with lemon. They are really nice when put into chilli con carne about 10 minutes before serving.

iceman


Joined: 15/08/2008
Posts: 724

Message Posted:
11/08/2010 15:15

And the most important advice.....

too many can cause painful constipation, so go easy on them.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 00:34

Msg 9.



It is difficult to describe casue it does not taste like anything else, however if you have not had it, you have not lived.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 00:54

iceman



'too many can cause painful constipation, so go easy on them.'

But if you eat figs there should be no problem and they are just coming into season now. So mix your fruit.

RachB



Joined: 07/05/2010
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
12/08/2010 11:33

Well I suppose I'll have to try some pretty soon then!.................I can't stand figs though after overdosing once on them in Italy when I was younger

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
13/08/2010 01:41

Alsancak, if you get the babutsa attack no amount of figs will help you. It'll be Hospital at least.