Prickly Pear

• Scientific Name: Opuntia fragilis
• Niimiipuutímt: ístis

 

The red fruit of the prickly pear is edible. There were eaten raw, and what could not be consumed could be dried and stored for winter. One source says the process involved splitting the fruit, discarding the seeds, and drying the pulp in the sun. Another source said they also ate the pads. White settlers were known to prepare the pads by boiling, which facilitated removing the skin and prickles, then frying the pulpy interior. In scarce times they singed the spines and fed the pads to the livestock. Crushed pads were placed directly on backaches and a tea was made from the plant for diarrhea.