The Indian Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica), also known as the thorn-less prickly pear, is a species of cactus and a long-domesticated crop plant. Most culinary references to the “prickly pear” are referring to this species. The name “tuna” is also used for the fruit of this cactus, and for Opuntia in general.

These cacti are great crops for dry areas (such as Arizona) because efficiently convert water into biomass. They are extremely easy to grow. Just take a piece of it and plant it half-way in the ground. It will automatically spawn roots and start growing shoots. The picture below is one that I started only 4 months ago. You don’t need to worry about watering them. They will grow with or without your help to heights up to 16 feet (Although you can cut them back every year also).

The most commercially valuable use for Opuntia ficus-indica today is for the large, sweet fruits, called tunas. The fruits flower in three distinct colors: white, yellow, and red. They first appear in early May through the early summer and ripen from August through October. The fruits are typically eaten, minus the thick outer skin, after chilling in a refrigerator for a few hours. They have a taste similar to a juicy extra sweet watermelon, which can be very refreshing on a hot summer day. Also, the flesh contains many tiny hard seeds that are usually swallowed, but should be avoided if you have gastrointestinal problems with seeds. Jams and jellies are produced from the fruit, which resemble strawberries and figs in color and flavor.

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