I bought a "cactus pear" from walmart how should I cook it? It is green, not red, so does it need to ripen?

Answer 1

A cactus pear can be purple, orange, garnet red or green. You know it's ripe when the fruit gives to gentle pressure -- so don't rely on the color alone. You don't have to cook it to eat it, just cut off each end, slit the sides, then peel off the skin. Enjoy!

Answer 2

Cactus Pear Ripe

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I bought a "cactus pear" from walmart how should I cook it? It is green, not red, so does it need to ripen?

Answer 4

I just read the info sheet they had posted about cactus pears at the supermarket today.

You have to wait till they turn red.
You do not cook them.

Even though their thorns are supposed to be removed before sale the store suggests using a knife to carefully peel off the outside layer to be sure there are none left.

After the re-peeling, you just slice them and use them as a vegetable in salads.

Answer 5

Check this site out!

Prickly Pear Juice

Select ripe prickly pears, including a few on the green side to add pectin if making jelly. Wash and rinse. Place in a pot with 1 cup of water and cook over low heat until tender (about 20 minutes). Mash with a potato masher and strain to remove seeds and fibers.

Prickly Pear Jelly

4 cups prickly pear juice
5 cups sugar
2 package of powdered pectin

Follow the pectin manufacturer's directions for adding ingredients and fast boil, stirring constantly. Bring to a hard boil that cannot be stirred down, boil for 3 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.

Prickly Pear Puree

Wash and peel ripe prickly pears. Cut in half with a knife and scoop out the seeds. Force the raw pulp through a medium to fine strainer. Freeze either fruit pulp or the puree. Simply pack into freezer containers and seal. Thaw before using.

Prickly Pear Salad Dressing

1/2 cup prickly pear puree
1/3 cup salad oil (not olive oil)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
3 to 4 Tbs. tarragon white wine vinegar

Shake all ingredients together in a covered jar. Makes about 1 cup . This pretty pink dressing is thin like an oil and vinegar dressing, but lower in calories. Good on fruit salads and tossed green salads.

Prickly Pear Marmalade

4 cups chopped prickly pears
1 cup sliced lemon
2 oranges
1 or more cups of sugar (see below)

Chop orange peel and pulp. Add 4 cups water to lemon and orange. Let stand 12 to 18 hours in a cool place. Boil until peel is tender. Cool. Measure lemon, orange and water in which cooked. Add chopped prickly pears and 1 cup of sugar for each cup of combined pear, lemon, orange and water. Boil to the jellying point. Pour, boiling hot, into hot jars. Seal at once.

Answer 6

you need to let it ripen. no need to cook it. you just eat it after it's ripen. and i didn't know walmart sold fruit.

Answer 7

You don't cook it, you open it and eat the inside.