Most know Tuna as a fish, the ‘chicken of the sea.’ However, there is another type of Tuna that has nothing to do with fish or animals at all. It is actually a fruit!

This ‘tuna’ that I am referring to is a bold green in color and about the size of a pear when its thick skin is still intact. It is a fruit that grows on a prickly pear cactus that is very abundant in the Mexico region.

It is perfect for hot, summer weather and is surprisingly sweet.

To prepare the tuna, make sure it is very clean and there are no thorns. You must be very careful in removing its skin for it is very thick and can give splinters if not cleaned properly. The best way to remove the skin is by chopping off about half an inch off each end and then slicing the tuna in the middle so that the skin can be easily peeled off and removed. All throughout the inside there are little gray seeds. Just bite into the tuna as you would a tomato. It will have a much more crunchier texture but all of it (except the skin) can be consumed.

Written by VRG intern Veronica Lizaola