This Prickly Pear Vinaigrette is full of lemony, raspberry-like flavors, and it’s subtly sweet. Prickly pear recipes are so unique and delicious, and this one will elevate any salad!
This might just be the most beautiful vinaigrette I’ve ever made. (Did you even know a vinaigrette could be beautiful?)
You didn’t think I was just going to show you How to Cut and Eat Prickly Pears without providing any Prickly Pear recipes for them, did you? 😉
Let’s review . . .
What are Prickly Pears?
- Also called Cactus Pears, Cactus Figs, or Tuna fruit, they’re native primarily to the southwestern United States, Mexico, other Latin American countries, as well as in Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean — where there is a lot of sun and heat.
- Prickly Pears are not actually a member of the pear family. They were given this name only because the they resemble pears in shape and size.
- The plants they come from have very sharp, needle-like spikes and colorful flowers.
- The pads on the same plant as the Prickly Pears are also edible. They’re called Nopales.
What do Prickly Pears taste like?
Not only is it a stunning magenta color, but the flavor is lovely. It’s lemony, raspberry-like and quite sweet.
Prickly Pear Vinaigrette will turn your greens, vegetables and other fruits, into a dreamy deliciousness!
Below is a Papaya-Avocado Salad with the Prickly Pear Vinaigrette drizzled over it. Lovely!
More Ways to Use this Vinaigrette
Not only is this a fabulous salad dressing, but it can also be used as a marinade or a sauce for fish and chicken. Imagine a bit drizzled over grilled shrimp. Yum!
More Prickly Pear recipes:
- Agua de Tuna
- Prickly Pear Syrup
- Cactus Pear Sorbet
- Papaya-Avocado Salad with Prickly Pear Vinaigrette
Thank you to Melissa’s Produce for the Prickly Pears for recipe testing.
This Cactus Pear-Lemon Vinaigrette is full of lemony, raspberry-like flavors, and it's subtly sweet. Delicious over almost any salad!
Makes about 1 cup
- 3 prickly pears
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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Place a fine mesh strainer in a slightly larger mixing bowl and set it aside.
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Peel and cut the cactus pears into quarters (heres how). Then add them to a blender and pulse until you have a smooth purée.
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Pour the cactus pear purée into the strainer and, use the back of a large mixing spoon to help you drain all of the liquid into the bowl. (All of the tiny seeds will be held back in the strainer.) Get as much of the juice as possible -- you will need approximately ⅔ cup.
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Add the lemon juice, vinegar and seasonings to the juice and mix. Then gradually whisk in the oil.
sue/the view from great island says
I wish I could taste this! I see cactus pears from time to time in the store, so I’ll be sure to grab some next time — you are right, it’s an astounding color!
valentina says
Thanks, Sue. Hope you enjoy try them! 🙂
Alena says
Wow this looks awesome! Definitely need to try it asap! 🙂
valentina says
Thanks so much Alena. Hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Melissa M says
I’ve been trying to find recipes for prickly pears! My mom use to make prickly pear jelly, of course I thought I had forever before I would lose her so I didn’t get the recipe.
valentina says
Hi Melissa, I hope you try the vinaigrette and enjoy it. Here’s a recipe I found for prickly pear jelly — maybe it’ll be similar to the version your mom made. 🙂
Beets says
What other fruit would you use instead of prickly pear?
valentina says
Hi There. You could switch it out for pureéd raspberries or strawberries. I’d guess you’d want about 1/2 cup. Hope this helps. Enjoy! 🙂 Valentina