Opuntia, the prickly pear cactus, originated in South America, moved into the valleys of the Andes and then north into Mexico and North America. Prickly pear cactus: How to harvest fruit without ...

Peel the outer skin off the prickly pears as thinly as you can, using an ordinary potato peeler, without breaking into the flesh within. Prick them in several places. Rinse under running cold water.