Prickly Pear Arrope

Experience a touch of Latin American tradition with Prickly Pear Arrope, a naturally sweet and velvety syrup or jam made from freshly harvested prickly pear fruits. This exquisite preserve captures the essence of the cactus fruit, presenting a delightful balance of flavors without any added sugars. Perfect as a topping, spread, or ingredient, it brings a unique twist to your culinary creations.

Ingredients

🌵 Approximately 2 kg peeled prickly pears, Tunas / Opuntia ficus-indica
💧 1/2 to 1 cup water

Instructions

1- Harvesting:

• Utilize a homemade harvesting tool—a long wooden stick with a metal cup—to safely pick the ripe prickly pears from the cactus, avoiding direct contact with the spines.

2- Peeling:

• On a wooden cutting board, cut off both ends of each prickly pear using a kitchen knife. Make a lengthwise slit in the skin.
• Use a fork to hold the fruit steady and gently roll the skin off using the knife. Discard the prickly skin.

3- Initial Cooking:

• Transfer the peeled prickly pears to a stainless steel pot, possibly Luminarc.
• Use a wooden spoon to lightly mash the fruit. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of water, which aids in juice release.

4- Simmering:

• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer.
• Cook until the fruit is fully broken down and separated from the seeds.

5- Filtering:

• Pour the cooked mixture into a fine-mesh sieve set over a stainless steel bowl.
• Use a spoon to press the pulp through the sieve, leaving seeds behind.

6- Reduction (Second Cook):

• Pour the filtered liquid back into a clean pot.
• Bring to a boil and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to a thick jam or syrup consistency.

7- Cooling and Storage:

• Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. The arrope will thicken further upon cooling.
• Store in clean glass jars for future use.

Prep Time: Approximately 20 minutes
Cook Time: Varies, depending on reduction speed
Total Time: Approximately 2-3 hours, including cooling time
Servings: Approximately 4 cups of arrope
Calories, Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates per Serving: Not specified
Equipment:

• 🛠️ Homemade harvesting tool
• 🪣 Green plastic collection bucket
• 🔪 Wooden cutting board and kitchen knife
• 🍶 Stainless steel pot, possibly Luminarc
• 🥄 Wooden spoon
• 🍰 Fine-mesh sieve
• 💧 Stainless steel bowl
• 📦 Glass jars for storage
• Optional: Cloth bag, food mill, or potato masher

Cooking Tips:

• Exercise caution around prickly pear spines to prevent injury.
• Different colors of prickly pears indicate variety, not ripeness.
• Use a cloth bag for a smoother syrup.

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Prickly Pear Arrope