Avoid prickly pear unless it has been fully cleaned and peeled. Spines, glochids (tiny barbed hairs), and hard seeds may injure the mouth or gut and pose choking hazards. If offered, use only tiny plain seed-reduced flesh pieces.
Prickly pear is the fruit of Opuntia cactus with sweet seedy flesh under a thick skin covered with spines and tiny barbed glochids. Used in regional cooking and beverages.
Sold fresh, juiced, pureed, and in syrups or candies. Processed products often include added sugar. Cactus pads (nopales) are a separate edible plant part used in savory dishes.
Safe prep requires complete removal of spines, glochids, peel, and hard seeds — an easy step to underestimate. Remaining glochids can still irritate lips and tongue.
