Read the text about the uses of the prickly pear cactus.

The scary-looking needles of the prickly pear cactus discourage many people and animals from getting too close. But if you look past the sharp points, you’ll find that there’s a lot more to this cactus. Native Americans in the southwestern United States made gum, sweets, jam and juice with the fruit. They also used the cactus’s leaves, known as pads, to treat cuts and burns.

But how do you eat this cactus? After taking out the needles, you can eat the flat green pads raw or cooked. Many people enjoy this cactus in salads, or in a Mexican dish called tacos de nopales You can also eat the prickly pear’s bright red or orange fruits, called tunas. Some say that the fruit tastes like a mix of bubble gum and watermelon. Taste it yourself to see if you agree!