How do you remove spines from 30 pounds of prickly pear fruits I just picked?

[Andrew]

A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit Loading Image...

How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?

In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.

What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

[David E. Ross]

Post by Andrew
A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit https://i.postimg.cc/j596q0BW/pricklypear.jpg
How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?
In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I have heard of singing. With long tongs or a BBQ fork, hold the cactus
pear over a flame.

[Bob F]

Post by David E. Ross

Post by Andrew
A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit https://i.postimg.cc/j596q0BW/pricklypear.jpg
How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?
In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I have heard of singing. With long tongs or a BBQ fork, hold the cactus
pear over a flame.

I sang to some for an hour, and even that didn't scare the spines off them.

[Andrew]

Post by Bob F

Post by David E. Ross

Post by Andrew
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I have heard of singing. With long tongs or a BBQ fork, hold the cactus
pear over a flame.

I sang to some for an hour, and even that didn't scare the spines off them.

I rubbed. I sang. I singed. I screamed. And still, this is what my gloves
looked like after I foolishly picked the prickly pears with just leather.
Loading Image...

I even looked up how to spell singing...
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/singe

What worked best, even on the gloves, was singing with the tongs.
Loading Image...

Happy Thanksgiving!
Loading Image...

[unknown]

Post by Andrew
A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit https://i.postimg.cc/j596q0BW/pricklypear.jpg
How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?
In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I have not done it myself. This is my thought experiment:

I suggest you put a pile of them in a steel wok and use a blowtorch on
high to briefly singe the fine hairy pricks. Use a steel spatula to turn
the pile of prickly pears and then use the blowtorch to singe the pile
again.

I think if you singe the sharp tips of the pricks then the pricks won't
be able to pierce your skin.

You can use a blowtorch to singe just one fruit to see if it works
before you try to singe a big pile of them in a wok (or a cheap steel
bowl from a dollar store).

[micky]

In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:31:39 -0500, ? Mighty Wannabe

Post by unknown

Post by Andrew
A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit https://i.postimg.cc/j596q0BW/pricklypear.jpg
How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?
In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I suggest you put a pile of them in a steel wok and use a blowtorch on
high to briefly singe the fine hairy pricks. Use a steel spatula to turn
the pile of prickly pears and then use the blowtorch to singe the pile
again.
I think if you singe the sharp tips of the pricks then the pricks won't
be able to pierce your skin.
You can use a blowtorch to singe just one fruit to see if it works
before you try to singe a big pile of them in a wok (or a cheap steel
bowl from a dollar store).

Good idea to do one first. I have the feeling this method might impart
a propane taste to the fruit, although maybe not inside.

By blowtorch, I assume you mean a propane torch, now a real blowtorch.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1185126001/vintage-brass-blow-torch-antique

Everyone seems to think it's okay to call a propane torch a blowtorch,
these days.

[Robin Ware]

Post by micky
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:31:39 -0500, ? Mighty Wannabe

Post by unknown

Post by Andrew
A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit https://i.postimg.cc/j596q0BW/pricklypear.jpg
How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?
In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I suggest you put a pile of them in a steel wok and use a blowtorch on
high to briefly singe the fine hairy pricks. Use a steel spatula to turn
the pile of prickly pears and then use the blowtorch to singe the pile
again.
I think if you singe the sharp tips of the pricks then the pricks won't
be able to pierce your skin.
You can use a blowtorch to singe just one fruit to see if it works
before you try to singe a big pile of them in a wok (or a cheap steel
bowl from a dollar store).

Good idea to do one first. I have the feeling this method might impart
a propane taste to the fruit, although maybe not inside.
By blowtorch, I assume you mean a propane torch, now a real blowtorch.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1185126001/vintage-brass-blow-torch-antique
Everyone seems to think it's okay to call a propane torch a blowtorch,
these days.

Maybe the woke propane torch self identifies as a blowtorch.
And maybe the blowtorch even has a preferred pronoun.
Shitfire, maybe the blowtorch is even non-binary.

Life is complicated today.

[unknown]

Post by micky
In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 22 Nov 2023 23:31:39 -0500, ? Mighty Wannabe

Post by unknown

Post by Andrew
A friend bought a home with a huge set of prickly pair trees and let me
pick about 30 pounds of fruit https://i.postimg.cc/j596q0BW/pricklypear.jpg
How do you most easiest get the spines off of them?
In the store, they don't have spines.
These DEFINITELY have spines. Lots.
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

I suggest you put a pile of them in a steel wok and use a blowtorch on
high to briefly singe the fine hairy pricks. Use a steel spatula to turn
the pile of prickly pears and then use the blowtorch to singe the pile
again.
I think if you singe the sharp tips of the pricks then the pricks won't
be able to pierce your skin.
You can use a blowtorch to singe just one fruit to see if it works
before you try to singe a big pile of them in a wok (or a cheap steel
bowl from a dollar store).

Good idea to do one first. I have the feeling this method might impart
a propane taste to the fruit, although maybe not inside.
By blowtorch, I assume you mean a propane torch, now a real blowtorch.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1185126001/vintage-brass-blow-torch-antique
Everyone seems to think it's okay to call a propane torch a blowtorch,
these days.

https://www.google.com/search?q=blowtorch&tbm=isch

A "blowtorch" is a generic term for that kind of torch. The fuel can be
the traditional kerosene, or the modern butane, propane, MAPP gas,
oxy-hydrogen, ...

I think, for this application, a blowtorch with a large red flame (lower
temperature) is better than a pinpoint white-hot flame. A large flame
will be quicker in doing a large batch of prickly pears and won't damage
the skin of the fruits that much due to the lower flame temperature.

A large red flame can be achieved by turning the metal ring covering the
air hole which controls the amount of air that can enter the torch to
mix with the fuel.

[Ed P]

Post by unknown

Post by micky
Everyone seems to think it's okay to call a propane torch a blowtorch,
these days.

https://www.google.com/search?q=blowtorch&tbm=isch
A "blowtorch" is a generic term for that kind of torch. The fuel can be
the traditional kerosene, or the modern butane, propane, MAPP gas,
oxy-hydrogen, ...

Yes, it was born out of ignorance. By the same people that call every
refrigerator a Frigidaire and many other wrong terms.

[rbowman]

Post by unknown
A "blowtorch" is a generic term for that kind of torch. The fuel can be
the traditional kerosene, or the modern butane, propane, MAPP gas,
oxy-hydrogen, ...

The US version used gasoline. First you let a little gasoline dribble into
the priming cup and lit it. When the apparatus came up to temperature you
could then open the valve again.

I have an old Svea 123 camp stove that works the same. people get a little
nervous then you set it on fire.

[Peeler]

On 23 Nov 2023 20:41:01 GMT, lowbrowwoman, the endlessly driveling,

Post by rbowman
The US version used gasoline. First you let a little gasoline dribble into
the priming cup and lit it. When the apparatus came up to temperature you
could then open the valve again.
I have an old Svea 123 camp stove that works the same. people get a little
nervous then you set it on fire.

Of course, they do ...any time you open your big mouth, drama queen! <G>

[Andrew]

Post by unknown
You can use a blowtorch to singe just one fruit to see if it works
before you try to singe a big pile of them in a wok (or a cheap steel
bowl from a dollar store).

I removed the burner cover to the stove and singed them over the huge flame
that shot up unexpectedly out of the middle hole of the oven burner.

I cut off each end, and sliced a line down the middle about skin deep.
Then with my hands I peeled the skin back which leaves a center portion.

That's all for the party so the only thing I get to keep is the compost.
Loading Image...

Layers of... Browns : Greens : Reds : Browns : Greens : Reds : (and so on)

[unknown]

Post by Andrew

Post by unknown
You can use a blowtorch to singe just one fruit to see if it works
before you try to singe a big pile of them in a wok (or a cheap steel
bowl from a dollar store).

I removed the burner cover to the stove and singed them over the huge flame
that shot up unexpectedly out of the middle hole of the oven burner.
I cut off each end, and sliced a line down the middle about skin deep.
Then with my hands I peeled the skin back which leaves a center portion.

After cutting it in halves, you can hold a half in your palm, and use a
spoon of appropriate size to scoop out the soft core instead of peeling
the skin. I eat kiwifruit that way, with a spoon. After I have scooped
out the soft meat of a kiwifruit with a spoon in one shot, all that's
left is the paper thin kiwifruit skin in my palm. It beats trying to
peel the kiwifruit because peeling will tear the kiwifruit skin into
many, many strips.

Post by Andrew
That's all for the party so the only thing I get to keep is the compost.
https://i.postimg.cc/RF9Q4Kmn/prickly-pear-skin-compost.jpg
Layers of... Browns : Greens : Reds : Browns : Greens : Reds : (and so on)

[rbowman]

Post by unknown
After cutting it in halves, you can hold a half in your palm, and use a
spoon of appropriate size to scoop out the soft core instead of peeling
the skin. I eat kiwifruit that way, with a spoon. After I have scooped
out the soft meat of a kiwifruit with a spoon in one shot, all that's
left is the paper thin kiwifruit skin in my palm. It beats trying to
peel the kiwifruit because peeling will tear the kiwifruit skin into
many, many strips.

Just eat the skin; roughage is good for you. I'm serious. I never peeled a
kiwi in my life or a mango. Pomegranates are a different story.

[Peeler]

On 24 Nov 2023 00:54:08 GMT, lowbrowwoman, the endlessly driveling,

Post by rbowman
Just eat the skin; roughage is good for you. I'm serious. I never peeled a
kiwi in my life or a mango. Pomegranates are a different story.

Everyone already knows: you are the toughest and coolest senile hot shit in
these groups, you all-American superhero! There's no way for you to hide
that fact! <VBG>

[rbowman]

Post by Andrew
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

Leather gloves. Rib them off.

He uses a paper towel which seems redundant.

[Peeler]

On 23 Nov 2023 06:30:25 GMT, lowbrowwoman, the endlessly driveling,

Post by rbowman
Leather gloves. Rib them off.

You using your abnormally big mouth might achieve wonders: it would at least
shut you up for a while! LOL
--
More of the resident bigmouth's usual idiotic babble and gossip:
I'm not saying my father and uncle wouldn't have drank Genesee beer
without Miss Genny but it certainly didn't hurt. Stanton's was the
hometown brewery but it closed in '50. There was a Schaefer brewery in
Albany but their product was considered a step up from cat piss.

My preference was Rheingold on tap"

MID: <***@mid.individual.net>

[unknown]

Post by rbowman

Post by Andrew
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

Leather gloves. Rib them off.
http://youtu.be/jKFHePTS0RI
He uses a paper towel which seems redundant.

It will be tedious rubbing 30 lbs of prickly pears one by one.

[Andrew]

Post by unknown

Post by rbowman
He uses a paper towel which seems redundant.

It will be tedious rubbing 30 lbs of prickly pears one by one.

Thanks everyone for the good advice on removing prickly pear spines.

It's interesting how he rubs them smooth with a paper towel & gloves.
Time 300 seconds (rubbing) http://youtu.be/jKFHePTS0RI

Even more interesting how he just bites into the results after that.
Time 525 seconds (biting) http://youtu.be/jKFHePTS0RI

I'm all done - it had to be ready for the Thanksgiving dinner!
<Loading Image...>

I'll explain later.

[rbowman]

Post by unknown

Post by rbowman

Post by Andrew
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

Leather gloves. Rib them off.
http://youtu.be/jKFHePTS0RI
He uses a paper towel which seems redundant.

It will be tedious rubbing 30 lbs of prickly pears one by one.

Then take them to a laundromat where you're not known, put them in a
dryer, and give them 10 minutes on the low setting.

A commercial tuna operation probably uses something similar to the potato
peeler. I've used on of those in the service. The old cartoon of GIs
sitting around peeling potatoes by hand aren't accurate. We did crack eggs
by hand. You get good after a fwe hundred dozen.

[Peeler]

On 23 Nov 2023 20:35:13 GMT, lowbrowwoman, the endlessly driveling,

Post by rbowman
Then take them to a laundromat where you're not known, put them in a
dryer, and give them 10 minutes on the low setting.

More exciting drama from the self-admiring resident drama queen. <VBG>

Post by rbowman
http://youtu.be/7UiC-1Sjrm0
A commercial tuna operation probably uses something similar to the potato
peeler. I've used on of those in the service. The old cartoon of GIs
sitting around peeling potatoes by hand aren't accurate. We did crack eggs
by hand. You get good after a fwe hundred dozen.

And more drama from the resident bigmouthed drama queen. LOL

[unknown]

Post by rbowman

Post by unknown

Post by rbowman

Post by Andrew
What's the trick to removing the spines before peeling the skin off?

Leather gloves. Rib them off.
http://youtu.be/jKFHePTS0RI
He uses a paper towel which seems redundant.

It will be tedious rubbing 30 lbs of prickly pears one by one.

Then take them to a laundromat where you're not known, put them in a
dryer, and give them 10 minutes on the low setting.

If you are a reloader, you might already have a rotary separator, then
you don't have to sneak into a laundromat to tumble a 30-lb bag of
prickly pears

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator with
Perforated Sifter and Mesh Media Strainer for Reloading
https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Separator-Perforated-Reloading/dp/B01B6S8JUC

Post by rbowman
http://youtu.be/7UiC-1Sjrm0
A commercial tuna operation probably uses something similar to the potato
peeler. I've used on of those in the service. The old cartoon of GIs
sitting around peeling potatoes by hand aren't accurate. We did crack eggs
by hand. You get good after a fwe hundred dozen.

[rbowman]

Post by unknown
If you are a reloader, you might already have a rotary separator, then
you don't have to sneak into a laundromat to tumble a 30-lb bag of
prickly pears
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator with
Perforated Sifter and Mesh Media Strainer for Reloading
https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Separator-Perforated-Reloading/

dp/B01B6S8JUC

That link is only the media separator.

https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Quick-N-EZ-Vibratory-Polishing/
dp/B001MYGLJC

is the vibratory tumbler I use. After running a batch you pour the media
and cases into the separator. I feel underprivileged; my older model only
has one handle and sits on a five gallon bucket instead of a fancy case.

It might work but it would take a long time to process 30 lbs. of tunas in
batches of six or so. You probably would want to ship the brass polish
too.

https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Ammonia-Free-Quick-N-EZ-
Reloading/dp/B004J43WN0

The suff is citrus based and smells good but not good enough to eat.

[Peeler]

On 24 Nov 2023 00:51:05 GMT, lowbrowwoman, the endlessly driveling,

Post by rbowman
That link is only the media separator.
https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Quick-N-EZ-Vibratory-Polishing/
dp/B001MYGLJC
is the vibratory tumbler I use.

I'm absolutely certain you don't use it as often as you use your big mouth.
It simply can't be.