History
Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is native to the Sonoran Desert and has been harvested by the Tohono O'odham for over 4,000 years. The magenta fruit (tunas) ripens August through September; the green paddles (nopales) can be harvested year-round. Mission Garden cultivates heirloom Opuntia varieties on the Sentinel Peak grounds, and Tucson cocktail programs from Hotel Congress to La Cocina build prickly pear margaritas from the syrup. Mexican markets along South 12th Avenue sell whole paddles for grilling, salads and the canonical tacos de nopales.
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Make it at home
Ingredients
- 12 ripe prickly pear tunas (magenta fruit), washed and gloved-handled
- 300g granulated sugar
- 250ml water
- Juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of sea salt
Method
- Carefully wear gloves when handling tunas (the glochids are tiny needle-like hairs that embed in skin). Use a brush under running water to remove all the glochids from the fruit.
- Slice the tunas in half and scoop the flesh into a heavy pot. Add the water.
- Simmer 20 minutes over medium heat, mashing with a wooden spoon to extract the juice.
- Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve. Press to extract all the liquid. Discard the seeds and pulp.
- Return the strained juice to the pot. Add sugar, lime juice and salt. Simmer 15 more minutes until syrupy.
- Cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Use in margaritas, lemonade or over yogurt and ice cream.
Tip from the editors. Never handle tunas without gloves. The glochids are nearly invisible but cause days of skin irritation. Burn them off in a gas flame if you find any clinging.
Where to eat prickly pear (tunas and nopales)
Prickly pear (tunas and nopales) in Tucson
Hotel Congress Tap Room ★ 4.4
Hotel Congress Tap Room on East Congress in Tucson is the 1919-era historic hotel bar open daily until 02:00, with craft cocktails and Cup Cafe shared menu.
TryCup Cafe shared menu and craft cocktails
More places near Hotel Congress Tap Room
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Cup Cafe New American, under 100 m away
- Club Congress Cocktail bar, under 100 m away
- Charro Steak Del Rey Steakhouse, about 100 m away
- Ursa New American, about 250 m away
- Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink Italian, about 300 m away
- Reilly Underground Late Italian, about 300 m away
More cities are in research. Want prickly pear (tunas and nopales) covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.