Cultivating Native Foods and Medicine. Prickly Pear Cactus and Fruit Workshop Nopales & Tuna

In this two part workshop we will be exploring a native cacti that has been used for a millennia as food, Opuntia spp. commonly known as Nopal, Nopales, Nopalitos, Prickly Pear and its fruit commonly known as Tuna. Nopales have been gaining culinary popularity yet many do not know how to prepare the cacti and it's botanical uses in medicine and beauty have been overlooked. This is a two part workshop, Part I and Part II are explained below. I want to add that I am encouraging folks to cultivate their own Noples as the critters look to the cacti for a source of food and water which is scarce in our desert ecosystems. This workshop will be held in the Sun Room at Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley, CA in the Mojave Desert just outside of Joshua Tree and Pioneertown.

We will have Prickly Pear cactus available for purchase via Cactus Mart for those who want to start their own Wild Food, Medicinal Native Garden. Please bring a cup, fork or spoon and a plate or bowl for tasting of the food and drinks that will be offered.

There are three options for ticket purchase, for folks who only want to participate in PART I the cost is $15. For folk who want to only participate in the hands-on portion PART II the cost is $25. For those who want to attend both sessions there is the PART I & II available for $40. All info is below on both sessions.

PART I

TIME: 11:00am - 12:20pm

Introduction to the Optunia species of Cacti. We will start with a tea made with the cacti and together explore the physical energetics and learn about the medicinal properties of this native cacti. There will be a short lecture on traditional uses both in the kitchen and home apothecary. Followed with a demo painless easy ways of removing the spines from the leaf and fruit and preparation. We will taste samples of food and beverages prepared by myself using both the leaf and the fruit of Prickly Pear cactus that I have harvested from my own garden.

PART II

TIME: 12:45pm- 2:30pm

Following the closing of PART I, those who which to participate in the HANDS-ON Portion will learn how to apply Nopales for First Aid, Botanical Medicine, Skin and Hair Care. We will be preparing a hydrating and cooling mask for both hands and face. We desert folk know how dry the desert is and a little mucilage from Nopal can be our ally. Each participant of the second portion of the workshop will be taking home a 4oz jar of Prickly Pear syrup.

All participants are asked to bring their own cup, fork and a plate. In trying to minimize waste we ask that you provide your own items to partake in the tea and foods.

PART II participants please bring the following in order to participate. There will not be extra items provided;

• 1 large clean bowl
• Two medium size towel
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• 1 paper bag (grocery size)
• Pen & paper if you wish to take notes.
• 1 clean four ounce jar. If you do not have one I will offer some for $1
• Clean Face (for the face mask)
• Cup, fork or spoon and plate for the food and beverages made with Nopal.

All ticket sales are final. There is not trade outs for future workshops or refunds.