Title: Summer Melon Fruit Salad with Prickly Pear Sy
Categories: Amerind Salad Fruit
Yield: 12 Servings

1		Muskmelon or cantaloupe
10		Fresh Indian peaches, or 5 comemrcially grown peaches
1	lg	Prickly pear cactus pad
		(nopale)
1/4		Yellow watermelon (if not available use pink water- melon)
		Wild mint leaves, for garnish
3/4	c	Prickly Pear Syrup

Cut the muskmelon or cantaloupe in half and scoop out the seeds. Scoop the melon into 1-inch balls and place in a bowl. Cut the peaches in half, or with larger peaches, cut into slices. Add to the melon balls. Trim the cactus pad, cut into strips, and blanch in boiling salted water 30 seconds to 1 minute. Rinse the pads under cool water to remove their gum; drain well. Toss together with the fruits.

Slice the watermelon in 1/2 inch slices, and from each slice cut 1 1/2 inch triangles, removing the seeds as you cut. (I have found that when you slice watermelon into pieces this size it is easier to make sure there are no seeds left) Toss the watermelon with the other fruit.

Garnish with wild mint and serve with Prickly Pear Syrup ************************

From "Native American Cooking," by Lois Ellen Frank

previous

next