Foraging for Cactus

This is a tag along post for my last one about Sand Canyon. On my way back down the Mesa I was getting quite tired and sore. On top of that my water supply had been running low. It was then that I stumbled upon a beautiful cactus just sitting alongside of the trail(I believe it was a hedgehog cactus)! Sure there were thin, prickly pear everywhere- but they aren't ready to eat yet. I had been browsing youtube just the other day on how to eat cactus, so finding an edible one really made my day!

First, you slice off the top and then cut off the sides, like you were peeling a cucumber. Once the needles are cut off you can slice off a piece of the inside for yourself. It was actually really good, sort of a mix between a cucumber and a melon. I was expecting it to be slimy but it wasn't. MMmmm Guess from now on anytime I go hiking I will be simultaneously cactus hunting. :-)


BEFORE


AFTER


The perfect, tasty, trail side treat!