Barrel cactus

Ferocactus spp.

fruit · vegetable

Tangy yellow fruits tasting of lemon and kiwi, and flower buds cooked as a vegetable, in Sonora.

Origin

Deserts of Mexico and the American Southwest

Where to find it

The buds of Ferocactus histrix, “cabuches”, are sold in season at markets in San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas.

Season (United States)

April to September · grows in your region

Preparation

The fruits are cut open and eaten raw; the buds are cleaned of their spines and boiled for about twenty minutes.

Molecules

BetalainsIn small amounts, not counted Pectins · Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

It leans southwest, toward the sun: it is called the “compass barrel cactus”.