Flavors of Mexico: Tuna with Fruit

I often think about those early humans who dared to taste different fruits. I ask myself questions like, “How hungry do you have to be to risk your life, or at least your hand, to grab a fruit surrounded by thorns, like a nopal or a tuna? Were they just reckless? Was grabbing these things with their bare hands a “What is the initiation rite to be adopted by the Aztecs?” These questions keep me awake at night.

What is a tuna fruit?

We’re not talking about fish here, in case you’re confused. For us Mexicans, tuna The prickly pear is a native round fruit that grows at the top of the nopal cactus. There are six types of prickly pears, and you can differentiate them by their color: red, yellow, white, green, orange, and purple. I focus on the red one because it is a common variety and its flavor is extraordinarily pleasant to the taste buds.

What does bluefin tuna taste like?

I may be romanticizing its taste, but I’ll do my best to be objective. First, you get a sweet, almost berry-like taste. Then there’s a tart note, and finally a burst of freshness similar to watermelon. It’s like eating a bolero tune, honestly. If you’re worried about the texture, it tastes like a kiwi or a pear with seeds.

How to eat a tuna fruit?

Treat it like any other fruit and have fun with it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cut off the ends of the prickly pear, peel the skin and enjoy.
• Make some juice! To start your journey with this fruit, mix bluefin tuna juice with orange juice.
• Freeze it and use it in a smoothie. Red prickly pear and mango smoothie is a must.
• Love salads? Add cubes of bluefin tuna to kale, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil. You won’t regret it!
• Are you “in shape” during the week like me? Quinoa bowl with red prickly pears and feta cheese.
• Looking for something sweet? Greek yogurt with honey and red prickly pear. The color that the yogurt takes on with the prickly pear is particularly Instagrammable if you feel like an influencer.

The best season to eat tuna

They are available all year round, but the best season is from July to September.

Fun Facts About Tuna Fruit

In pre-Hispanic times it was a predominant and appreciated fruit, especially by peoples living in arid areas, because it provided them with the nutrients and water they needed to survive. Therefore, it was also a symbol of fertility.

Tuna is the word derived from the Spanish of the Nahuatl word “Tonalli”. It was used to refer to the concepts of time and cycles of nature, but also to emphasize the close relationship between the environment and the well-being of a person. It is believed that the meaning of the word “tonali” applied to the fruit was then the description of something that allowed man to survive in the cycles of nature.

Its health benefits are scientifically proven, such as reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases when consumed regularly.

Finally, while eating your prickly pear, play the song “I’m going to eat this tuna” by Jorge Negrete, the OG charro. The song is about the stubbornness of Mexicans: “I have to eat this prickly pear even if it stings my hand,” the song says.

María Melénedez is a food blogger and influencer from Mexico City.