Prickly pears

[waggy]

Hi Sam, have a go by all means but beware when you collect them!  We stayed at Mara Villa in El Cotillo about 5 years ago and they were growing next to the boundary wall about 2m from the door; so remembering what my Mum said about the prickles and never having picked my own before, I gingerly avoided the spines on the pads and went for the abundant fruits - BIG mistake! They were covered with micro-spikes thinner than a sewing needle which break off in your flesh and, having forgotten to put my specks on, I was spiked to oblivion, dozens of the darned things, and all around the finger tips and in the finger prints. Luckily I had tweezers and a magnifying glass in the bathroom and managed to pull every single one out whilst my much amused better half held the magnifier. So - gauntlets I think and rough them up a bit. Good luck!

[Raye]

The pads are really tasty and proving you scrape all the big spikes and small hairs off then you will be fine.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

I've just been reading an interesting article re Prickly Pears in Mexico, perhaps it'll catch on in Fuerte?

BBC article re uses of Prickly Pears