Uses for prickly pears

One of our favourite Karoo crops of the year is the prickly pear that grows on the bountiful cacti in the surrounding desert and veld. The fruit is just starting to flower now.

“When in season I make the most of this wonderful fruit,” says Chef Tronette Dippenaar. “From jam, syrups, marmalade and chutney, which I use on the menu, but also sell in the farm stall.”

If you’re lucky enough to have access to this delicious desert fruit, here are some uses. Or, come for a visit to see what our chef has dreamed up.

How to cut and prepare prickly pear
1. Wear gloves and slice both ends off.
2. Make one long vertical slice down the body.
3. Peel back the thick fleshy skin that's wrapped around the prickly pear.

Sorbet
Cool down on a hot Karoo day with prickly pear sorbet. Simply substitute the mango in this recipe for prickly pear. 

Fruit salad
Chop up and toss into a fruit salad of strawberries, grapes and pineapple.

Syrup
Make a prickly pear syrup that you can drizzle over desserts, or create unique cocktails with!

Tip: Prickly pear is seen as a superfood due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties.

How do you use prickly pear? Let us know in the comments.