BajaNomad - Cactus Fruit Margarita

Cactus Fruit Margarita

Iflyfish - 7-17-2010 at 07:50 PM

I just had my first Margarita made with Cactus Fruit.

The bartender was not want to share the recipe, but I know that my Nomad friends will have the scoop. The drink had a wonderful sweet backbone with a very long citrus fininish.

I have found a source for Tuna, the cactus fruit that I have been told is used in the drink. It is the red variety that I believe is used. I am told that the fruit will be here next week. It is just now coming into season is what I have been told.

I understand that you peal the fruit, making sure to wear gloves to avoid being impaled by the thread like spines under the skin.

What next?? How is this fruit used in Margarita?

Can I freeze this fruit and use it later in margaritas?

Thanks,

Iflyfishwithastupidtequlagrinonmyfaceonoccasion

noproblemo2 - 7-17-2010 at 08:21 PM

Tuna in a maggie???????? Now the cactus fruit is however very good but would pass on tuna in them.

capt. mike - 7-18-2010 at 06:09 AM

i have put tuna through my bass o matic and it tastes pretty good juiced.
better than bass actually, with some lime.
don't do catfish tho - skunky like Corona beer.

woody with a view - 7-18-2010 at 06:22 AM

the fruit is called "tuna" down south.....

Iflyfish - 7-18-2010 at 08:38 AM

Funny guys!!

Really, the fruit is called Tuna, it is the red fruit of a cactus, Nopal??

I know Shari makes a cactus fruit margarita, don't any of you know about this fruit and how to use it in margaritas?

Iflyfishandamthristy

Iflyfish - 7-18-2010 at 08:49 AM

I had forgotten that this fruit is called Prickly Pear and I found a recipe. The one I had was delicious! The one below sounds a bit sweet to me but it is a start.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/PricklyPear.htmPrick... Pear Margarita

1/2 cup crushed ice
1 ounces freshly-squeezed lime juice
1 ounce undiluted frozen limeade
2 ounces Tequila
1 1/2 ounces Triple Sec
1 ounce prickly pear cactus juice*
1 tablespoon granulated sugar or corn syrup
Lime wedges for garnish

* Named for its pear-like shape and size, this fruit comes from any of several varieties of cacti. Also called cactus pear, the prickly pear has a melon-like aroma and a sweet but rather bland flavor.

In a blender, add crushed ice, lime juice, Tequila, Triple Sec, prickly pear juice, and sugar or corn syrup; cover and mix ingredients (a pulsating action with 4 or 5 jolts of the blender works the best). At this point, a taste test WILL be required (while it's not necessary, it is a requirement - you'll thank me later). Correct with additional sugar or corn syrup if it is too tart.

Iflyfish

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 7-18-2010 at 04:44 PM

Hola, the season just started in el triumfo and miraflores for a cactus fruit pronounced pitaya, spelled differently i believe. in el triumfo, there are venders that sell the fruit by the gallon can along the roadside. two years ago, they were about $ 7 - 8.00 for a can and the fruit are already cleaned of the spines. some have reddish meat and some have whitish and both are very sweet and delicious.

they are about the size of a large lime and we cut them in half and just squeeze the meat into our mouths. the seeds are about the size of half a sesame seed and are ingested as well.

the other cactus fruit we are aware of is called tuna and were on the store produce shelves about a month or so ago and they contain very much larger seeds and the seeds are very hard. we have found the tuna are not nearly as sweet or as good as the pitayas.

there is an annual pitaya festival in miraflores yesterday and today, sorry. my grandaughter told me that it is very dangerous to go out to pick the fruit as it is out in the desert and there are a lot of rattlesnakes. after the fruit are picked, they remove all the spines preparing them for sale.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

bonanzapilot - 7-19-2010 at 08:43 AM

The red Prickly Pear... Tuna, in spanish ,is best handled only with tools. Kitchen spring loaded pincers to hold them, then cut off both ends with a knife, make a slit along the long side, and with a fork or two, carefully peel about 1/8" of the outer skin, which contains all of the tiny little stickers, from the fruit. It is mostly seeds, and they do not blend up well, so mash fruit through a sieve and use in your drinks or just gobble down seeds and all like the Mexicans do. Along with the nopales from the plant, tunas are a welcome change to a desert diet.

Iflyfish - 7-19-2010 at 11:11 PM

Cool bonanzapilot, sounds great.

Iflyfish