Tucson: Downtown Food Tour (Choose 1 of 3)
Discover Tucson’s historic downtown on a guided food tour with a streetcar ride. Learn about the city’s architecture, history, and culture while enjoying a full meal o...
Prickly pear yields two foods: the magenta tunas fruit harvested in late summer for raspados and syrup, and the green nopales paddles year-round for tacos and salads.
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.
1 editor pick for Prickly pear (tunas and nopales) in Tucson, ranked by editorial score. All Tucson signature dishes · Prickly pear (tunas and nopales) across every city.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Prickly pear (tunas and nopales) makes more sense with someone from Tucson explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Tucson
Tucson Food Tour: Downtown Walking Food Tour with 6 Tastings
Explore downtown Tucson on a walking food tour. Enjoy tastings from locally-owned restaurants, discover hidden gems, and learn about the city's history and culture.
Tucson: Guided Downtown Tour with Streetcar Ride & Food
Explore downtown Tucson on a guided tour with a streetcar ride. Learn about the city's history, enjoy food at two local restaurants, and experience the City of Gastron...