Prickly Pear Tunas

Photos by Lisa E White

Prickly pear cacti are not only lovely when they bloom, but their fruits are equally beautiful.  Mainly edible to birds and rodents, these pears, also called figs or tunas, are used in delicious jellies, candies and alcohol beverages such as flavored vodkas or in margaritas.  The pads, or nopales,  have been cooked by Southwestern natives for centuries.  The pads in this picture look a bit like a woman with red curlers in her hair?  Or maybe Raggedy Ann?