The prickly pear is a cactus from Mexico, easily recognizable due to the flattened oval blades rich in thorns that characterize the plant. Its fruit, unjustly underestimated, is rich in vitamins and minerals and, thanks to the antioxidant substances it contains, helps the body protect itself from the action of free radicals and fight the degenerative processes of the cells. Let's find out better.
Description of the plant
The prickly pear plant, scientific name Opuntia ficus indica, can exceed three meters in height and grows easily in areas with a hot and arid climate; it needs very little water to live and develop and does not need human intervention.
The prickly pears, therefore, are fruits that do not undergo manipulation and are not grown with the help of chemicals.
The young blades that are rich in mucilage, pectin and hemicellulose are also edible .
Properties and benefits of prickly pears
Popular tradition has always attributed beneficial and healing qualities to prickly pears ; many of these properties have been confirmed by scientific studies that have analyzed the impact on health.
Prickly pears are refreshing and boast cleansing qualities ; they have a good energizing power and help to face the beginning of autumn with more enthusiasm.
Thanks to the richness of soluble fiber they contribute to the good functioning of the intestine and can help in slimming diets. They also help control cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
They are a valid aid against intestinal parasites and, above all thanks to the presence of mucilages, protect the gastric mucosa.
Although it is a very useful fruit for the gastrointestinal tract, it is not necessary to exaggerate in quantity and it is necessary to pay particular attention if you suffer from diverticulosis .
Calories and nutritional values of prickly pears
100 grams of prickly pears contain about 55 calories .
Also, for 100 grams of product, we have about:
- Water: 83 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Total fibers: 5 g
- Fats: 0.1 g
- Calcium: 30 mg
- Potassium: 190 mg
- Phosphorus: 25 mg
- Iron: 0.4 mg
Discover the virtues of autumn fruits
Allies of
Immune system and cardiovascular system.
Curiosities on prickly pears
The prickly pear has been introduced in Europe from the Americas but, although it is not a plant of Mediterranean origin, this climate is particularly favorable to it and, in fact, it is widespread in the regions of southern Italy, especially in Puglia and Sicily ; it is so common in these areas that it represents a characteristic element.
The harvest of the fruits often happens in the first hours of the morning, when the aureole of thorns are still enclosed and, consequently, it is easier to avoid to prick with the thorns that surround them and that result particularly irritating.
From the fiber extracted from the cladodes (the blades) of prickly pears still green, furnishings and even furniture are made . A company from Salento has in fact patented a method for extracting, drying and processing the fiber of cladodes for this purpose.
A recipe up your sleeve
Prickly pears are fruits almost completely unknown to our kitchen.
They are excellent natural, that is consumed as a snack, like any other type of fruit; the prickly pears also represent an ingredient that lends itself to the preparation of sorbets, jams, ice creams and liqueurs. In Mexico, liqueurs made from prickly pears are particularly widespread and there are so many different grades.
The shovels, properly washed and deprived of thorns, can be shredded, blanched and sautéed to obtain an excellent side dish.
Have you ever thought about preparing a salad with prickly pears ?
Ingredients for 4 people
- 8 prickly pears,
- a head of romaine lettuce (about 150/200 grams),
- 50 grams of peeled and toasted almonds,
- salt,
- extra virgin olive oil.
Method
After cleaning the prickly pears, cut them into rather thick rounds. Wash and cut the salad and add it to prickly pears, add the whole peeled and roasted almonds or coarsely cut and season with salt and a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. It is a very simple salad but equally rich in nutrients.
