Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds fresh prickly pears (about 18 medium pears)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Make it step by step
- Cut a 1/2-inch slice off both ends of the prickly pears, then make a 1/2-inch deep incision down one side, end to end. Carefully (there are spines) peel off the rind, starting from your incision. If the prickly pear is ripe, the rind will easily peel away. Roughly chop the peeled fruit.
- Place the fruit in a blender or food processor. Add water, sugar and lime juice and blend for several minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved.
- Strain through a medium-mesh sieve. Taste for sweetness, adding more sugar or lime juice if necessary. Chill thoroughly.
- Pour chilled mixture into canister of ice cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. When the ice comes out of the machine, it may be rather soft; for a firmer texture, let it ``ripen'' in your freezer for a couple of hours before serving.
- Serves 6.
- NOTES: HERE'S an unusual recipe that uses the fruit of the nopal cactus.
- The puree, before freezing, also makes a delicious sauce over ice cream or puddled under a simple bread pudding.
Nutrition and portions
Nutrition estimates and Zone blocks are not available for this recipe.
Ingredient substitutions and portion changes need a new calculation.
Recipe source
Adapted from Foodista by Colin Saunders, under CC BY 3.0. Formatting adapted; listed quantities and instructions are retained from the source.
Cook times in the method are source guidance, not a record of testing in our kitchen. Check food temperatures and ingredient labels when cooking.