The Prickly Pear Cookbook (Paperback)

~ Carolyn Niethammer (Author), Robin Stancliff (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Just the book you need to teach you everything you need to know about this mysterious plant. -- Joint Forces Journal, Jan Miller

The fruit that grows on the prickly pear cactus…are rough rubies and pale emeralds in a crown of thorns. -- The Press-Enterprise, Mark Petix

This lovely well-designed little book demonstrates the plant's astonishing range in recipes. -- Desert Magazine, Maryanne Pinkston

Product Description

Those bristly cactus spines are guarding something really good to eat. Like chocolate, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and chile, prickly pear cacti are one of the true treasures of the Americas. As a food, prickly pear is delicious, nutritious, and increasingly believed to be medicinal. Native Americans have enjoyed it for thousands of years, but transplants now flourish worldwide, particularly around the Mediterranean.

But how do you transform a live pincushion into a delicious smoothie, cool salad, or a pie as pink and airy as the desert dawn?

In her unique, beautiful cookbook Carolyn Niethammer has collected 56 enticing international recipes for the succulent fruit and tender green pads (or "nopalitos") of the prickly pear. A wild-food expert and master cook, she guides readers all the way from cactus patch to casserole, from easy spine removal techniques to Prickly Pear Barbecue Shrimp with Roasted Corn and Black Bean Relish. Other highlights of this marvelous collection are such simple yet sensational delights as Easy Nopalito Salsa, Sabra Soufflé, Chicken Yucatán, Prickly Pear Gelato, Prickly Pear Kuchen, and Prickly Pear Wine. 24 color photographs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Rio Nuevo Publishers (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887896562
• ISBN-13: 978-1887896566
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,902 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 60 mouth-watering international recipes from Prickly Pear Margaritas, December 6, 2005

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The Prickly Pear Cookbook is a unique recipe guide devoted to the culinary delicacy that is the prickly pear cactus. A savory ingredient held in high esteem from Mexico to the Mediterranean, Prickly Pear Cactus is featured in 60 mouth-watering international recipes from Prickly Pear Margaritas, to Peruvian Nopalito Rice, to Sabra Souffle and more. Color photography and an extensive introduction to the harvest, cleaning, and preparation of prickly pear cactus round out this savory cookbook.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great little book, October 13, 2007

By	Michael K. Porter "Michaels4gardens" (Orange Springs FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fantastic little book , giving me hard to find info on cooking with prickly Pear, these actually are good tasting recipes, Michael Porter

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Desert Delight!, April 14, 2008

By	Nadine M. Rosin "author, The Healing Art of P... - See all my reviews

Clearly written, easy to follow, a delight to own. The recipes are delish and the information educational and fascinating. This book will have you cooking, looking, and sounding like an expert chef.