Prickly Pear

I just read an article about the above.

Prickly pear planted around perimeter of your yard provides a steady supply of food, and serves as a natural fence through which most animal and human intruders won't penetrate. Also the cactus stops the spread of grass fires though the fire causes some temporary damage to the cactus.

Prickly pear cactus is easy-to-grow, drought resistant. The plants thrive is sunny arid regions but can't tolerate snow and frost or extremely we environments. It is not isolated to the Arizona deserts as it is found throughout the United States on the plains as far east as Nebraska and grows along the Atlantic coast. Throughout Los Angels it is so common that it is often regarded as a weed.

• It can produce several year-round foods as well as sweetener, red dye, hair conditioner and flour.
• The pads, fruits, seeds and flowers are all edible and can be prepared in a variety of ways.
• Cactus are about 90% water and the easiest way to obtain water from cactus is to peel the fruit or young pads and eat them raw.
• A glue-like liquid can be obtained if you mash and press the pulp.
• The fruit tastes like watermelon.
• The seeds can be dried and made into flour.
• Diced Pads can be used to thicken soups and stew.
• Peeled pads can be baked like squash or pickled.
• Researchers are verifying the value of eating the prickly pear pads to control diabetics and increase of pancreas to produce insulin.
• The fruit ripens in summer and can be used to make drinks, pies, jam, jellies, ice cream and other desert items.
• Artists can make a dye from the fresh red fruit.
• The peeled pads can also be sliced thin (like green beans) and boiled.

Recipes are available. Small to large plants available . One large pad for planting is $3.00 including postage. To obtain prickly pear cactus plants contact:

Survival Services
P.O. Box 41834
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Offered by Debra.