Make up this unique and refreshing Paleo Prickly Pear Limeade for a sweet and tart drink that’s full of vitamins, antioxidants. It’s also allergy friendly and vegan
Call me strange, but I think grocery shopping can be fun. Sometimes it can be a chore, but for the most part i actually enjoy going to the grocery store. One of my favorite things is finding fruits and vegetables I have never tried and finding ways to use them.
The other day I found some prickly pear fruit and decided to give it a try. I cut off a piece and found that there was a ton of tough seeds inside the fruit, and the fruit itself wasn’t that sweet.
I decided to use the juice from the prickly pear instead of trying to crunch my way through the entire fruit. I made up this limeade recipe as a yummy way to use my prickly pear juice!
This refreshing drink has a gorgeous pink hue and is a lower-sugar version of traditional limeade. Prickly pear cactus fruits are chock full of antioxidants, as well as plenty of magnesium, taurine, vitamin C, potassium, and a host of other nutrients. Prickly pear season is usually from September til December, so it a good seasonal fruit option for winter time.
Paleo Prickly Pear Limeade (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 prickly pear cactus fruit
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (about the juice of 1 orange)
- Stevia drops, to taste
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Peel the prickly pear fruit and cut into pieces. If the stickers are still on the fruit, you may need to pull these out first, wearing thick gloves. I purchased mine at the store so the stickers were already removed.
- Place the pieces of fruit in a small blender with a couple of tablespoons of water and blend until liquified. Pour the juice through a strainer or sieve into a glass or measuring cup.
- Using a manual citrus juicer, juice the lime and the orange and pour the juices into the glass with the pear juice. Stir in the Truvia (or Stevia) and water. Stir well, add ice, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Sarah Jane Parker is the founder, recipe creator, and photographer behind The Fit Cookie. She’s a food allergy mom and allergy friendly food blogger of 12 years based in Wyoming. Sarah is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Revolution Running certified running coach, and an ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
I get my cactus pears from a friend’s yard. I burn the spines off over a gas stove with metal bbq tongs, and scrap the rest off with a small knife. You still have to be careful when peeling, but much easier to peel without using the tongs. The seeds can be ground into flour, and the big leaves can be used in a cactus salad, best served with fresh goat cheese. Enjoy!
That’s a great idea, thank you Tara!
Looks like a great recipe. Very creative way to use the prickly pear fruit.
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Warmly Mike The Eat Healthy Guy-)
This limeade looks great!
Thanks! It was delicious : )