Prickly pears are the edible fruit of a variety of cactus. They are very versatile and can be eaten fresh as a fruit or pureed and strained into juice and are available from late June through September in produce markets and Latin grocery stores.

The juice of the prickly pear tastes similar to pomegranate juice, but with a more subtle flavor. It can be used to make cocktails, sorbets, dressings, or enjoyed freshly squeezed over ice.

Ingredients:
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
6 prickly pear cactus fruit, peeled
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Sugar cookies or shortbread for serving, if you like
Mint sprigs for garnish, if you like

Directions:
1. Put sugar and water into small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Cool.

2. Cut cactus fruit into large chunks and put into blender jar. Blend until smooth. Add sugar water and lemon juice and blend until combined. Pour mixture through fine strainer placed over a bowl, pressing solids to extract as much liquid as possible.

3. Pour mixture into freezer-safe 8" x-10" baking dish. Transfer to freezer and freeze, scraping surface every 20 to 30 minutes with a fork until fluffy and frozen completely, about 2 hours.

4. To serve, loosen crystals with fork and use large spoon or ice cream scoop to transfer to serving dishes. Serve immediately with cookies and garnished with fresh mint.

Serves 4-6.