Cactus is an ornamental plant, which is also used as forage, fodder, cochineal, fruits and some other uses. People for their psychedelic effects; have used numerous species of cactus since ancient times. Many people around the world cultivate cacti, it is a familiar sight as a potted plant, or they are used as houseplants in ornamental gardens.
Except for plants, many cactus species are of very important commercial use, some cacti bear edible fruits, like prickly pear, which produces Pitaya or Dragon Fruit. The cactus industry in Mexico produces 150 dollars each year, and nearly 10,000 farmers cultivate this plant.
Some cactus species have the edible quality. Here are some easy and simple steps on how to cook cactus.
How to cook cactus jelly
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon of cactus tuna (pear apples)
- 3 cup juice
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 box of fruit pectin (sure jell)
- 6 cups of sugar
Steps:
- Take nearly 1 gallon of cactus tune (pear apples), carefully burn the stickers from each of them with the help of candle flame or torch. Take the tuna, scrape out the burned stickers residue from the fruit by using a sharp knife.
- Now you can easily peel the fruit, make sure that you use rubber gloves or the juice from the fruit will turn your hands purple. Cut the peeled tuna into quarters, keep them in a saucepan with seeds, and pour some water.
- Bring the water to boil, cover the saucepan and let it cook for at least one hour. Strain the juice from the pulp and seeds and add 3 cups of juice, 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 box of fruit pectin.
- Let this mixture boil and then add 6 cups of sugar and let it cook for three minutes. Take it out from heat and let it cool for 45 minutes. Skim the foam and pour the jelly in some sterilized jars.
- Immediately seal the jars with canning lids, or you can allow the jelly to set and then cover it with melted paraffin.
How to cook Nopalitos Con Chili (Prickly Pears)
Ingredients:
- 4 sm. Nopalitos (should be in 5 inch in diameter, top sprouts of prickly pear cactus)
- 3/4 lb chuck
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium sized onion chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 leaf oregano, crumbled
- 1 can kidney beans (optional)
Steps:
- Wash the nopalitos carefully and look out for small thorns; you can use a potato peeler to remove the thorns. Cut the nopalitos into small cubes, wash and drain them. Set it aside.
- Cut 1/2 inch cubes of steak and take a large skillet, pour some oil. Put the steak cubes in the skillet and remove them once they are brown in color. Add onion, garlic and green pepper, and sauté it while stirring continuously. Add nopalitos to the mixture, and cook for 3 minutes. Add little chili powder over the mixture and cook for another minute.
- Place the steak cubes in the skillet again. Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, water and bring it to boil. Lower the heat, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for 30 minutes.
- Now it is ready to serve. Serve hot.
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