Monday, October 27, 2008

"Candy and Jelly..."


...From a Prickly Pear cactus..."Out Wickenburg Way"!

According to Wikipedia...
"The fruit of prickly pears,
commonly called cactus figs, Indian fig or tuna,
is edible,
although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines
on the outer skin before consumption...
Cactus figs are often used to make candies and jelly and a refreshing drink."

Click here to see some Prickly Pear goodies to purchase and eat!

Happy Cactus Monday All!
Fill yourself with all kinds of cactus treats today. :)

16 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You are way ahead of the game Margaret. You have some beautiful colors on these pricklies.I have to get busy for sure. Have a great Monday.

Teri said...

This looks good enough to eat! Beautiful colors for sure.

I tried the jelly but didn't really care for it.

And, I have been through Wickenburg a few times on the way to Laughlin.

Is your car back from the hospital?

Teri said...

And
HCM!unketraf

Julie said...

This is a lovely cactus painting! I keep saying I am going to try cookin up some cactus pads for dinner, but haven't tried it yet. I like the idea it is supposed to regulate blood sugar! Nice post!!! HCM!

MuseSwings said...

Very nice! I love the colors. Thanks for the link to recipes - I see prickly pears at the market every once in a while.

soulbrush said...

we definitely ate prickly pears in south africa, and they were yummy,they grew wild by the side of the road, and yes, you have to peel them ever so carefully indeed!
wonderful memories for me. thanks cactuteer.

Anonymous said...

As usual a top notch sketch and amazing to me from New England. Beautiful coloring and compsition. I can just imagine the flavor or the jelly being similar to Wild Rose Hips grown on all Maine coastlines--and elsewhere---by my back door for one---you can taste the plant and are thanful for the sugar used. You have many wonderful cacti spreads---and have given them national artistic attention. EJMordasky

seesue said...

YUMM! This may be my fav of your delightful cactus paintings. Hard to say for sure though as they are all tasty eye treats.

get zapped said...

Gosh, this is lovely. It's so colorful and uplifting. Thank you.

marianne said...

Wonderful post! Thanks for the link with all the yummy things made of the prickly pear. I ate my first prickly pear fruits this year.
It is all new to me.
I love your painting!
Happy Cactus Monday!

Odd Chick said...

Nobody, I mean nobody does cactus like you - this is just awe-inspiring beautiful!!

Christie said...

Lovely! But I must admit it brings up some bad memories. I once picked one bare-handed and brought it up to my lips, not knowing anything about the little prickles!

sandy said...

I always love cactus Mondays and this is beautiful. I got those darn pricks in my fingers one day and I'll never try to pick another one.

I'm excited to start on cactus. I bought a cactus book the other day at the gift store. It's a good way to start because it's like a color book, ...I'm not sure if I'll do it that way or draw out the cactus myself before coloring.

studio lolo said...

There are those famous jewel tones of yours again, inticing us all!
Beautiful rendition fellow cactuteer!

The Victorious place said...

As soon as I saw your painting of the Prickly Pear I thought WOW they look good enough to eat thinking that they looked like candy. Then I wondered can you and read the blurb below.
Wonderful colors and very delightful to look at.

Margaret Ann said...

Ooooh! How I can so realte to those of you who have had misfortunes with prickly pears...They reall do look soft...especially the little beby pad....Boy was I ever wrong.

I have tasted the jellies and the syrup and some of the candies and they are simply delicious...have never purchased pad in the grocery store and prepared fresh though...

I am glad I was able to stir up some happy memories fror a few of you also! LOL :)