We'll Always Have Pears

Cacti are jerks. The smug, spined plants refuse to cavort with “cactuses,” and the lewd saguaro looks like it’s flipping everybody off. Most Arizonans have run into a cactus (literally) at some point in their lives, and it isn’t pleasant. Fortunately, we can get the upper hand by harvesting the...

By Melissa Fossum

August 15, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Cacti are jerks. The smug, spined plants refuse to cavort with “cactuses,” and the lewd saguaro looks like it’s flipping everybody off. Most Arizonans have run into a cactus (literally) at some point in their lives, and it isn’t pleasant. Fortunately, we can get the upper hand by harvesting the paddle cactus’ oh-so delicious prickly pear fruits. From jams to margarita flavoring, the possibilities are endless with this delectable fruit, which is the star of Superior’s annual Prickly Pear Festival. The event kicks off with a hike and pancake breakfast (complete with prickly pear syrup, of course), and while grown ups can learn how to make a prickly pear IPA, the whole fam can shop, eat, and listen to pear-centric lectures.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Prickly Pear Festival starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, August 24 at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37616 U.S. Highway 60. Events range in price from free to $25. See the details at www.superiorazchamber.net.

Sat., Aug. 24, 2013

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.