This Cactus Pear-Lemon Vinaigrette is full of lemony, raspberry-like flavors, and it’s subtly sweet. Delicious over almost any salad!
You didn’t think I was just going to show you How to Cut and Eat Cactus Pears without providing any recipes for them, did you?
This might just be the most beautiful vinaigrette I’ve ever made. 
(Did you even know a vinaigrette could be beautiful?)
Not only is it a stunning magenta color, but the flavor is lovely – lemony, raspberry-like and subtly sweet.
It will turn your greens, vegetables and other fruits, into a truly dreamy (and of course, beautiful!) salad. Below is a Papaya-Avocado Salad with the Cactus Pea-Lemon Vinaigrette drizzled over it. Lovely!
Thank you to Melissa’s Produce for the Cactus Pears for recipe testing.
Makes about 1 cup
- 3 cactus 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. 🙂