The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the
name "tuna." Prickly pear branches (the pads) are also cooked and eaten
as a vegetable. They, too, are sold in stores under the name "Nopalito."
Because of the glochids, great care is required when harvesting or
preparing prickly pear cactus. Both fruits and pads of the prickly pear
cactus are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fibers that may help keep
blood sugar stable.
I had to try one! It tasted pretty good to me. If I had any of these
in my area, I would make jam out of them!!