Prickly pear jelly or jam
Prickly pear jelly or jam is a sweet, vibrant spread made from the fruit of the cactus plant, known as the prickly pear or 'tuna.' Its typical ingredients include prickly pear juice, sugar, and often lemon juice or pectin for setting. This treat is strongly associated with the cuisine of the American Southwest, Mexico, and Mediterranean regions where the cactus thrives.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This is a carbohydrate-rich food, primarily from sugars, with negligible fat and protein. It provides a quick source of energy and is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C, along with minerals like magnesium and potassium.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 50 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbs | 13 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Magnesium | 6 mg |
| Potassium | 25 mg |
| Calcium | 4 mg |
Per 1 tablespoon (20 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a unique fruit-to-jam journey that requires careful handling to remove the tiny, irritating glochids (hairs) from the cactus pads. Nutritionally, the deep magenta color signals a high concentration of betalain antioxidants, which are also found in beets and have anti-inflammatory properties.
