Discovering Cartagena

More Articles By Phillip Bruce www.raxomnium.com

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Prickly Pears 

A common scene in the countryside around Cartagena are the large cacti known in English as Prickly Pears.

Locals call these higo de pala or chumbo.  The fruit is edible but considerable caution is needed if you are going to pick them as they are covered by invisible hairs which penetrate the skin and cause considerable irritation.  Remember also, that although they appear to be growing “wild” the plants belong to farmers and, in addition, they are a protected species. 

The safest thing to do, if you want to sample this unusual fruit is to buy them in a fruit and vegetable shop or a supermarket, where the hairs will have been removed. 

In fact, the cactus is an immigrant from America where it was found by Spanish settlers hundreds of years ago. They transplanted it and the plant flourished in Spain. 

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