No sooner had I started moderating the comments on my previous post for Prickly Pear Chutney when I realised that I had not included a picture of what a prickly pear looks like and then there were a couple of you who asked… sorry about that. Today I show you what prickly pears looks like and how I peel them. The reason I use a knife and fork is because the skin of prickly pears (even though they should be scraped off when you purchase them) have very fine hair like thorns that really hurt when they get into your skin and are so fine that you battle to get them out. Not fun.
These shots are not particularly good, they are however self explanatory on how to peel a prickly pear. 
Et voila, a peeled and ready to be eaten delicious and very moreish prickly pear.
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Nice tips, Mandy! It looks easy to handle though I have never seen it before in my life
By: Tesney Ap on April 23, 2012
at 07:08
Thanks Tes – it is really quite easy once you get the hang of it. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 08:58
The shots are brilliant…and so much more elegant than me and Big Man sitting out on the patio with a plastic bucket and a hose pipe!
By: Chica Andaluza on April 23, 2012
at 08:37
Aah Tanya, you are too kind, thank you! I loved your patio shots. I rather err on the side of caution with these little fellows. Have a beautiful week. I am still thinking of your beautiful dress!
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 09:00
Mandikins! You are not just pretty face, what a brill way to peel a prickly pear!
By: moi du toi photography on April 23, 2012
at 09:10
Aah, thanks M! I can give you a personal lesson when you are here. Have a beautiful week.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 09:18
Now thats how a prickly pear looks like
By: rsmacaalay on April 23, 2012
at 09:41
The red variety looks exactly the same – just red obviously. have a great week Raymund.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 10:11
I love them and now that there are less thorns, they are way easier to eat
By: Tandy on April 23, 2012
at 10:47
Once I start I battle to stop eating them. Have a lovely day Tandy.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 11:31
Thanks for the tips – god knows what I would have ended up doing
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on April 23, 2012
at 10:50
Hee hee – glad you won’t touch them with your bare hands now CCU. Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 11:31
Nice work, Mandy. Great Tips! x
By: Yvette on April 23, 2012
at 11:32
Thanks Yvette. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 11:45
So now I know! Great instructions – will look out for one. How do you tell when a prickly pear is ripe?
By: Sally on April 23, 2012
at 11:42
Thanks Sally. Generally prickly pears won’t be for sale until they are ripe (here anyway). The green prickly pears slightly change colour and may get a slight yellow tinge to them. They will always feel firm but should it should yield slightly to touch. I hope this helps – sorry about the bad explanation. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 11:53
I’m so glad I have just come across this because the house next doors has lots of prickly pears growing, might have to sneak over when it’s dark ;0)
By: peasepudding on April 23, 2012
at 12:50
I would recommend a pair of gloves for the trip – don’t want to come home with hands full of those horrible hairy thorns. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 13:02
Great post Mandy,
Do you eat everything after it is peeled? Seeds? membranes?
I have seen them in Florida but have not eaten any. I will have to try it some time.
By: Spoon Feast on April 23, 2012
at 12:54
Thanks! You discard the “peel” (the outer skin) and consume the whole fruit – seeds and all. have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 13:04
I shall remember this for the future, thanks.
By: Sous Chef on April 23, 2012
at 13:20
Hope you can resist eating them as you peel – I can’t! Have a lovely afternoon Sue.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 15:26
This is a great tutorial with perfect photos to illustrate. I have never used prickly pears partly because I did not know how to prep them…thanks for this . I found your blog via Rufus…one of my favorites.
By: Teresa Blackburn on April 23, 2012
at 14:50
Hi Teresa, welcome and thanks for stopping by. I am so pleased you found the photos helpful. Prickly pears are a fabulous fruit and are really quite versatile – they add a fabulous flavour to salads and are scrumptious served with cheese and crackers too. Have a lovely week.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 15:33
Thanks so much Mandy. I needed to see that. Peels a bit like a kiwi-fruit only it’s a lot more difficult. Would love to try one xx
By: hotlyspiced on April 23, 2012
at 14:59
At least a kiwi-fruit doesn’t attack you like a prickly pear does with it’s horrible thorns. Have a happy week Charlie.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 15:27
Thanks for the info! Always nice to get a brief tutorial
By: zestybeandog on April 23, 2012
at 15:18
Thanks Jen – glad you liked the tutorial. Have a great week.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 15:33
OK. I think I’m ready. The next time I see them at the vegetable market, I’ll pick up a couple. You and Tanya wouldn’t steer me wrong.
By: ChgoJohn on April 23, 2012
at 15:18
I would pick up an extra few John – once you have tasted one, there is no going back… Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 15:34
Well.. who knew? I’ve never even bought a prickly pear but now I won’t be afraid to try.. you make it look quite easy, excellent!!
By: Just A Smidgen on April 23, 2012
at 15:47
Aah thanks Smidge. Hope you get to taste a prickly pear sometime soon – they are delicious! Have a super week.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 15:58
–Somehow, peeling that pear w/ you, Mandy…was quite satisfying. Xxx
By: My Inner Chick on April 23, 2012
at 18:34
Awesome Kim! Have a beautiful and happy week.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 19:51
Thank you!!
By: pinkpolkadotfood on April 23, 2012
at 20:06
You’re welcome. Have a lovely week.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 20:09
why have i never seen a prickly pear? I am out of touch! I love this tutorial! Thanks
By: Kitchen Belleicious on April 23, 2012
at 20:50
Thanks Belle. I do hope that you can find a few prickly pears to try. Have a beautiful day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 23, 2012
at 22:00
I have never seen the inside of a prickly pear before! It looks like a kiwi fruit! Thanks Mandy!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on April 23, 2012
at 22:28
The inside of a kiwi-fruit when cut in half is much prettier than a prickly pear though. Have a super day Celi.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 24, 2012
at 08:43
How cute post (and useful) It looks like a kiwi
By: Bluejellybeans on April 24, 2012
at 00:09
I should have taken another picture of it cut in half. Have a lovely day Giovanna.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 24, 2012
at 08:43
I have never had a prickly pear….it looks really lovely.
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on April 24, 2012
at 14:17
They really are fabulous to eat Angie. I do hope that you are able to try one soon. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 24, 2012
at 14:31
Believe it or not, this was very informative to me. I never knew how to peel one of these.. and I never picked one up because I didn’t know what to do with it.
By: Purely.. Kay on April 24, 2012
at 21:07
I am pleased it was informative Kay. Hope you get to taste a prickly pear soon – they really are very yummy. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 25, 2012
at 09:49
Nice step by step!
By: Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on April 25, 2012
at 00:43
Thanks Greg! Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 25, 2012
at 09:49
I have never tried one. What do they taste like?
By: Bam's Kitchen on April 25, 2012
at 17:25
Hi Bam – Hmm, how to explain the flavour and texture of a prickly pear… it has the consistency of watermelon (sort of) with passion fruit (granadilla) type pips and I guess I could like the flavour to a honeydew melon (sort of) but not – oh my, this isn’t easy – I can tell you though that they are delicious! Hope this gives you a little idea of what they taste like. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 25, 2012
at 17:42
Actually that was a pretty good description. I think I can picture what this would taste like and it sounds quite nice.
By: Bam's Kitchen on April 25, 2012
at 17:46
Excellent, thanks Bam.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 25, 2012
at 18:03
Now you just made that look incredibly easy.
Always love the step by step pics for this kind of thing. I still have to go look for one of these.
By: Kristy on April 26, 2012
at 05:06
Thanks Kristy. They really are a cinch to peel. Have a an awesome day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 26, 2012
at 08:41
Thanks so much for posting this Mandy ~ you’ve answered so many of my questions!
By: Kelly @ Inspired Edibles on April 29, 2012
at 21:01
Awesome, glad you found it helpful Kelly. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on April 30, 2012
at 14:27