Prickly (Cactus) Pear and Watermelon Popsicle

(Prickly Pear a.k.a. Cactus a.k.a Tunas- in Mexico)

 

From the above picture, you can see why these cactus pears are called Prickly Pears.

How to peel a Cactus Pear

(Luckily, in most supermarkets, the pears are clean of their prickly fuzz)

To make sure they are totally clean, wearing rubber gloves, wash the cactus pears and with paper towels, rub off any prickly fuzz left on the skin.

Peeling Method

1-Slice both ends of the cactus pears off, throw away 

2-Make one long vertical slice down the body of the pear

 

3-Slip finger into the slice and grab hold of the skin

 

4-Begin to peel back the thick fleshy skin, to release the fruit. Throw the skin away

 

Recipe and Ingredients for:

Cactus Pear and Watermelon Popsicle

Yield 6 Popsicle's 

For Cactus Pear:

4 red cactus pears (peeled and the fruit chopped up)

2 tablespoon of sugar

1/4 cup water

juice of a half of lemon

- In a blender, puree the cactus pear fruit, with the sugar, lemon juice and water.

Set aside.

For the Watermelon:
1 cup tightly packed seedless watermelon
1 to 2 tablespoon of sugar
1/4 cup of water
Juice of a half of lemon
In a blended add all of the above ingredients and puree until smooth, than strain through a fine sieve. Set aside.

Using a Popsicle mold your choice proceed as follows:

1-Pour half of the cactus pear pureer into the six molds, put into the freezer until, the puree starts to freeze.
2-Divide the watermelon puree between the six molds, leaving enough room to for the rest of the cactus pear puree Return to the freezer until the watermelon puree start to freeze.  At this point, insert your wooden Popsicle's sticks into the part frozen popsicle's,
3-When the watermelon is frozen, pour the balance of  the cactus pear puree over the watermelon.  Return to the freezer, until totally frozen.
4- Remove the pops from their molds, and store in between wax paper in a plastic container.

Hope you will enjoy, these refreshing fruit pops.

Chef Ed