how to eat a tuna (cactus fruit)

Rodolfo with tuna cactus

TODAY it's TUNA TIME!

Here in Chile, Tuna's don't just swim in the sea, they grow on trees!!!! or well, CACTUSES!!!!  EVEN COOLER!
But it's not a fish, it's a FRUIT!

What is a tuna?
It's the fruit that grows on a special kind of cactus, as demonstrated in this photo to the right....those little balls on the ends?  Rodolfo wants to eat them!

This happens to be Rodolfo's favorite fruit in Chile!
Inside of those baby cacti is sweet, juicy bright green fruit unlike anything I've had before!



But, how do you eat the fruit of a cactus?
Luckily, R man is here to demonstrate for us!

Step 1:

Smile with fork and sharp knife in hand!
caution: cactuses are prickly and so is it's off spring.
DO NOT TOUCH THE TUNA!

Step 2:

Cut off of the ends of your tuna fruit with a sharp knife, then slit along the top.

Step 3:  peel the sides down with your knife and roll the little bugger out of its spikey shell...remember, no touching!

Step 4:

Cut the bright green seedy tuna fruit into chunks with knife and fork

Step 5:

Take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is a Tuna

Step 6:

Chew CAREFULLY!
There are big black round seeds throughout the fruit, which to my American raised horror, you swallow with the fruit!  GASP!  But, you get used to it, just don't bite down, or you'll break a tooth!

Step 7:

Repeat steps 1-6.
That last tuna was so good, you are going to want another!

Can't make it down to Chile this year for Tuna season?

Rodolfo and I were meandering thru our local Asian food market in Madison while we lived there and discovered boxes and boxes of Tuna's, which we then took home with us.....perhaps from Mexico?  So, they are around, you may be surprised where you might spot one!

And now!  If you do!  You know how to eat it!!

Happy Tuna Times!