Prickly pear fruit is abundant during the season in the Arizona desert. As Hunter and I hiked on many trails over the years we have wondered what we could make to eat from the prickly pear fruit. It was not until I attended Arizona’s Becoming an Outdoor Women weekend did we decide to make prickly pear jelly and margaritas.
Picking Fruit
Get permission to pick the fruit. I was able to connect with a landowner who permitted us to pick a 5-gallon bucket full. We wore leather gloves and used long-handled tongs to pick the ripe fruit off the ground and plant.
Preparing the Fruit
Once we brought the bucket home, we tried a few different techniques to remove the thorns. We tried burning them off, which did not work. The fastest way was to peel/cut the sides off while wearing leather gloves and using the tongs to hold the fruit.
Using a juicer, we juiced the insides. Then we filtered the juice through cloth towels multiple times to remove any extra thorns.
Prickly Pear Margaritas
There are many recipes on the internet for creating the prickly pear syrup. Just so you know you get to add a lot of sugar. Next, we blended ice with the syrup and tequila. Hunter found green sugar/salt to cover the rim. Not only did it look good, but it tasted good too. Thank you to Arizona’s Becoming an Outdoor Women group for the idea to make margaritas.
Prickly Pear Jelly
Hunter’s Mom had all the utensils for making jelly. We supplied the jars, prickly pear juice, and sugar. Notice how everything has sugar. Together we make many jars. Find your favorite recipe online and go for it. By the way, the jelly was delicious.
Food-Inspired from an Arizona Hike
Have you been on a hike and seen a fruit that you thought, I bet I can make something to eat from that? If yes, what did you or would you create?
Thank you for the jar that you gave us! We really liked it.
They were good. I ate a few. LOL
I love this! When we hike we do not see a lot of fruit much less prickly pear. This creativity for multiple uses is awesome! Definitely inspiring.
Thank you.
Great ideas! I would love to try prickly pear margaritas.
They are good.
I’ve never had prickly pear jelly before, but it looks good. I’d definitely be up for trying some.
I liked it on the toast.
It is really pretty. I feel like I have heard of this jam one other time but I can’t remember.
The jam was delicious.
How cool to create using food that inspired you on your hike! Sounds like the woman’s weekend was great too!
Yes, the women’s outdoor camp was very educational.
I have never had a prickly pear margarita but I’d love to try one!
It is great.
That looks awesome! What a lot of work though!
Yes, it was a lot of work. Hunter said we should just purchase the margarita mix at the store next time. LOL
This is so fun! We always enjoy a prickly pear margarita when we visit Vegas – we have a favorite spot that has an excellent happy hour! I’ve never actually seen a prickly pear before though so that was pretty darn cool! Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome.
I’ve never tried prickly pear before…but would love to!
It is good and different.
I’d heard of pricky pears, but I’d never really seen what people make with them. The jelly and the margarita both look good. When I’m in the Southwest, I will look to try these!
Yes, many restaurants in AZ will have prickly pear margaritas.
What a cool idea! That drink looks delicious, especially with the salt/sugar rim.
The green salt/sugar made it look cool.
Thanks for sharing the recipes that would make you feel like it’s an Arizona hike.
You are welcome.
The color of he margarita is so pretty! Is the fruit sweet? What is the taste similar too?
It is not like any other taste. The juice with sugar was very sweet. Hunter thinks the fruits itself taste like dirt. LOL
I haven’t had prickled pear juice but the jam and margarita’s sound delicious.
My daughter has been begging to try this! I love that there are so many options for what to do with them! Looks delicious!
Yes, there are many more creations, we started with these two.
I have never heard of prickly pear before, but it looks very versatile. I don’t think it is something I would have thought about eating before now, but I would love to try it!