In New Mexico, the 2024 prickly pear harvest is reported to be abundant. Prickly Foods, co-owned by Will Thomson, processes the fruit into products like lemonades and syrups, highlighting its unique taste, reminiscent of watermelon. Thomson, who also founded the New Mexico Prickly Pear Festival six years ago, notes the event's role in promoting the drought-tolerant crop and encouraging new prickly pear-based products.
Thomson mentions that the optimal harvesting period in Lemitar typically spans August to September, but this year's yield arrived sooner, with expectations of at least another 5,000-pound harvest. Conversely, in the East Mountains, a prickly pear jelly manufacturer reports a delayed and challenging season, with premature fruit rot impacting the harvest. The 6th New Mexico Prickly Pear Festival is scheduled for September 27-28 at the Gutierrez Hubbell house in Albuquerque, aiming to continue fostering interest in this versatile crop.
Source: KRQE News