While driving through the Golden Isles don't be surprised if
you happen to glance over and see a prickly pear cactus growing
along the side of the road, or in someone's front yard, for that matter.
Their large flat fleshy pads covered with long spines and ornately
colored flowers of yellow, red, or purple make them quite a sight to
behold. The red colored fruit they produce is edible and
forms as the flowers begin to fade, usually in early spring
and continuing through the summer months. When the fruit first
appears, it is a soft shade of green. Then it turns orange, pink, and
finally deep red color when completely ripe. At this stage, the skin
can be peeled away
to reveal a fruit that is 15% sugar and similar in taste and texture to
a kiwi with "bb-sized" seeds embedded throughout. The seeds can be
dried and used in soups or ground into flour used to make small, sweet
cakes.
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